tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62329757613579788802017-08-13T04:46:23.705-07:00True NelsonG. True Nelson: Former Deputy Sheriff, Military Officer, FBI Special Agent, and Security Consultant / Private Investigator. He currently resides in the Portland, Oregon Metro area. He is a writer on crime and judicial process; as well as discussing his personal observations on American culture and social mores.G Nelsonnoreply@blogger.comBlogger246125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232975761357978880.post-41381612970657963582017-07-13T20:56:00.000-07:002017-07-13T20:56:41.371-07:00Donald Trump Jr. / Natalia Veselnitskaya / Sergei Magnitsky / The U.S. Magnitsky Act / What’s all this about?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m8MljaK248c/WWg9mc5t1GI/AAAAAAAABtU/ZIHR7L70r0MxCxHcCCaxyPEZHtyAY4YSgCLcBGAs/s1600/Sergei_Magnitsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="330" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m8MljaK248c/WWg9mc5t1GI/AAAAAAAABtU/ZIHR7L70r0MxCxHcCCaxyPEZHtyAY4YSgCLcBGAs/s320/Sergei_Magnitsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sergei Magnitsky<br />1972 - 2009</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unless you’ve been on vacation at the North Pole, you’ve been bombarded daily with news and opinions about Donald Trump Jr. (The President’s son) having a meeting (weeks before the Presidential Election) with a Russian Attorney (possible operative) representing (allegedly) the Russian Government and indirectly Vladimir Putin.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, let’s just say that Donald Trump Jr. kind of stepped in it when he agreed to meet with Natalia Veselnitskaya.&nbsp; She apparently teased Junior with the claim that she and ‘the Russians’ had ‘dirt’ on Hillary Clinton.&nbsp; He reportedly responded in an email with “I love it.”&nbsp; Now, one would normally think that Junior would be smarter than that and, perhaps, considering the circumstances, use more grown-up terms in his emails, but…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, Natalia had nothing on Hillary other than what she might have read in the National Inquirer.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nonetheless, Natalia did have a pitch to make to Junior; and it concerned the Magnitsky Act.&nbsp; I know you’ve heard this term bantered-about recently, but most have no idea who Magnitsky is/was or what he has to do with the ‘Act’; a law passed by the U.S. Congress.&nbsp; Apparently, Putin hates this law, and in particular the name.&nbsp; After the law passed, Putin retaliated by prohibiting Americans from adopting Russian orphans – even some children already in the pipeline for adoption.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The U.S. law (Magnitsky Act) bans numerous Russian officials and various Russian oligarchs from entering the U.S.&nbsp; Also, as I understand it, a lot of Russian money held in the American banking system was ‘frozen.’</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The purpose of the law was in retaliation for the inhumane and barbaric treatment, and the ultimate death, of Sergei Magnitsky in a Russian prison.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sergei Magnitsky was a Russian attorney and auditor who reportedly uncovered ‘State’ sponsored theft that benefited Vladimir Putin and some of his close associates.&nbsp; We are talking about hundreds of millions of dollars.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, Putin et al took this unkindly – as you might imagine.&nbsp; Magnitsky was imprisoned and died under the most difficult and abusive conditions imaginable.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a longer story to all of this which was exposed in a very good book <i><u>Red Notice</u></i>; authored by Bill Browder.&nbsp; The book gives you some insight into Putin’s Russia and the Russian prison system.&nbsp; Not pretty – think North Korean not pretty.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">True Nelson</span></b><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://trueattrue.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Vist my blog to see numerous other posts that &nbsp;you might find interesting.</a></span></b></div>G Nelsonhttps://plus.google.com/107767859328193896656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232975761357978880.post-20292177739564941112017-07-10T16:52:00.000-07:002017-07-10T16:59:06.357-07:00FBI Special Agent Joseph Astarita indicted on federal charges related to the killing of Robert “Lavoy” Finicum – Illegal Occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. (Part 2 / Conclusion)<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 3;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uli4sD9yUbw/WWQNpFCUr-I/AAAAAAAABs4/lcSjOVvZGhwcfKbiCQAwETul7OEH8JNKwCLcBGAs/s1600/HRT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uli4sD9yUbw/WWQNpFCUr-I/AAAAAAAABs4/lcSjOVvZGhwcfKbiCQAwETul7OEH8JNKwCLcBGAs/s1600/HRT.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) is the focal point, the head of the spear, for the FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG).&nbsp; CIRG was formed after I left the Bureau and I don’t have any first-hand knowledge of its inner-workings.&nbsp; However, said Group incorporates many different areas of expertise:&nbsp; hostage negotiations, demolitions, in addition to HRT.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>HRT Training is extremely difficult.&nbsp; The process, a few years back, required potential applicants for HRT training to have at least three years as a ‘street Agent,’ involved in working cases, writing reports, and occasionally being participants in arrest situations.&nbsp; CIRG had difficulty getting the necessary numbers and applicant quality required for HRT.&nbsp; Now CIRG has changed (not lowered) the requirement to two years on the ‘street’ as an Agent – and they have begun to recruit military type individuals like Navy SEALS, Army Rangers and other Special Ops veterans.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Which brings me to W. Joseph Astarita, the FBI Agent under indictment.&nbsp; As far as I know, his background and experience is not known – but we can assume his HRT training has been extensive.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>I will get right to the point.&nbsp; Agent Astarita might have violated some obscure element of the FBI’s ‘rules of engagement’ when he fired his weapon at the car containing Finicum and the others.&nbsp; But let us remember that the driver of the car (Finicum) was attempting to evade law enforcement and his vehicle was approaching; at a high speed, a roadblock – behind which law enforcement officers were standing.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><i>Question:&nbsp; Why were law enforcement personnel standing behind a roadblock (consisting of parked vehicles) with a suspect vehicle barreling toward them at a high rate of speed?&nbsp; Why not stand off to the side?&nbsp; Or behind a tree?&nbsp; The video showed one Agent jumping from behind the road block as Finicum’s car appeared to be on course to crash into the road block.&nbsp; This Agent almost made a fatal mistake in that Finicum decided to plow his automobile through the snow attempting to go around the law enforcement vehicles.&nbsp; The snow stopped the car, whereupon Finicum jumped out.</i><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Depending where Astarita was standing at the time, he could have well believed that his life or the lives of others were in danger – warranting efforts to stop the car.&nbsp; Yes, I know there were ‘innocent’ passengers in Finicum vehicle, but that doesn’t change the decision process.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Let’s just say that Astarita, with all of his extensive training, was a little ‘trigger happy.’&nbsp; I don’t happen to believe that, but let’s consider it for the sake of argument.&nbsp; And, in shooting, in some way, he had violated an FBI rule.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Did he contribute to the ultimate death of Finicum?&nbsp; That’s really a stretch, but one could say that Astarita’s shots raised the tension among law enforcement personnel at the scene, which contributed to lethal action - when the OSP officer ultimately shot Finicum.&nbsp; I don’t buy this, but this concept will undoubtedly be trotted out in the civil suit.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>After shots were fired, Astarita picked up his spent cartridges, apparently doubting his personal judgment in firing at the car driven by Finicum - and then attempted to conceal the fact.&nbsp; This defies common sense – not the picking up of spent cartridges part – he may not have wanted to litter.&nbsp; (Yes, yes, stated with tongue in cheek.)&nbsp; But the part where he lied about it.&nbsp; Why would he do that?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>There are a couple of possible answers that come to mind.&nbsp; Members of HRT are allegedly trained to the point of perceived perfection.&nbsp; And, consequently I imagine they are inordinately sensitive about their image and reputations.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Astarita might have fired accidentally, which might explain why one bullet missed Finicum’s car completely, and one bullet creased the roof of the car.&nbsp; If he, in the throes of understandable stress, accidentally pulled the trigger and/or missed the target he intended to hit, he might have been embarrassed enough to attempt to conceal the fact.&nbsp; The FBI's administration would have subsequently asked:&nbsp; Why did you fire your weapon?&nbsp; And, if justified as you say, why did you miss your target after we’ve spent all this time training you?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Or perhaps:&nbsp; There was a Team Leader with the HRT, presumably not Astarita; and that said team leader told his men not to fire until he gave the word.&nbsp; Astarita jumped the gun (so to speak), and consequently felt he violated the Team Leader’s orders.</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>On a HRT, not following directives, would be a bigger offense than an outsider might first think.&nbsp; Following orders is absolutely imperative to a high-speed organization like HRT.&nbsp; No free-lancing is allowed under most circumstances.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Astarita’s big mistake, that will undoubtedly cost him his job, is that he lied.&nbsp; And, furthermore, continued to lie after being placed under ‘oath.’&nbsp; The FBI has no place for personnel that lie under ‘oath.’&nbsp; Said individual can no longer testify in court without their credibility being immediately challenged.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>If convicted should Astarita be sentenced to jail or prison time?&nbsp; I don’t think so.&nbsp; His lie compromised or injured no one other than himself – and he will probably regret his decision for the rest of his life.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>What remains unanswerable at this point is whether or not some of the other HRT members also lied to protect Astarita?&nbsp; I hope not.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>True Nelson<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">True Nelson</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />To visit my blog and many previous posts on various subjects, go to:</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://trueattrue.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">trueattrue.blogspot.com</a></span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>G Nelsonhttps://plus.google.com/107767859328193896656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232975761357978880.post-78068769931023992552017-07-08T18:15:00.000-07:002017-07-09T08:18:55.133-07:00FBI Special Agent Joseph Astarita indicted on federal charges related to the killing of Robert “Lavoy” Finicum – Illegal Occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wzH_MGUDnyg/VqZSOsy6hsI/AAAAAAAABbI/qJDg132RkLk64sQQasAQpANPx5u1V66dgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Malheur%2BNational%2BWildlife%2BRefuge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="184" data-original-width="275" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wzH_MGUDnyg/VqZSOsy6hsI/AAAAAAAABbI/qJDg132RkLk64sQQasAQpANPx5u1V66dgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Malheur%2BNational%2BWildlife%2BRefuge.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>W. Joseph Astarita, a member of the FBI’s vaunted Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) has been indicted on multiple counts for ‘Making False Statements’ and ‘Obstruction of Justice,’ relevant to the killing of Robert “Lavoy” Finicum.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>The incident is beginning to fade from public memory, but occurred when Finicum attempted to evade a law enforcement roadblock. It’s been more than a year - the illegal occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon.&nbsp; Finicum was shot and killed by an Oregon State Police Officer when he (Finicum) exited his vehicle and attempted to reach for a holstered gun – as was alleged and seemed to be convincingly portrayed on a video.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Years back, when I was a young Agent, the FBI realized that they required a force of Agents better suited and trained to deal with particularly dangerous situations.&nbsp; I was one of the first Agents from my division to be selected for, what was called at the time, SWAT training.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>As I recall initial preference in selection was given to former military types who volunteered; but additionally they would be required to pass a very intense physical test.&nbsp; It included, but was not limited to, a two mile run, shooting and what they called ‘gladiator skills.’<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Gladiator Skills consisted of a large ring, maybe 25 feet in diameter, holding two teams of five each.&nbsp; The teams were required to sit back to back in the center of the ring.&nbsp; When the instructor gave the signal, the fight was on.&nbsp; The object was to continue fighting until one team had dragged or thrown every member of the opposing team out of the ring.&nbsp; There were no particular rules.&nbsp; However, for the most part, members on the opposing team were associates, even friends, so it was mostly wrestling and pushing.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>As one of the bigger guys on my assigned team, I was back to back with a former collegiate football player.&nbsp; So, my thought was that this is not going to go well, and would almost certainly be over rather quickly.&nbsp; And, actually it was.&nbsp; They blew the whistle and we all jumped up.&nbsp; I backed away weighing my next incredibly inadequate move on this guy.&nbsp; He came at me as if to tackle me or push me out of the ring.&nbsp; Hitting me in the stomach with his shoulder, I was able to momentarily lift him off his feet and turn.&nbsp; Surprisingly during this process, he stepped out of bounds; and an instructor called him “out.”&nbsp; The instructor laughed like he couldn’t believe what had just happened.&nbsp; It couldn’t have been more than five or ten seconds.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>I was selected for one of the SWAT teams and later sent to Quantico to endure two weeks of very difficult and demanding training – lots of running, obstacle courses, orienteering, shooting, as well as all manner of physical hell.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>I did excel at one test – swimming.&nbsp; I had been on the swimming team in high school and always loved to swim.&nbsp; It was only 100 meters (a fifty meter pool, once up and once back) – not a big deal – I first thought.&nbsp; There were four or five teams from around the country.&nbsp; All team members would start at the same time.&nbsp; To win this particular contest, and everything was a competition between the SWAT teams, the entire team had to finish.&nbsp; My team leader, who had been raised in Texas was a heck of a guy, but not a very good swimmer – an understatement.&nbsp; He told me he had done all of his swimming in a ‘horse trough’ – jokingly of course; but I could see he was shaking. &nbsp;The instructor yelled, “If any of you sissies feel like you might drown during the swim, you can wear a life jacket.”&nbsp; Sissy or not, my team leader decided to wear the life jacket, as did maybe six or seven others.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>There were a couple of additional little tweaks to the competition.&nbsp; We were required to put on a fatigue shirt and pants over our swim suits.&nbsp; Additionally we were required to swim the 100 meters with a shotgun attached to a strap around our necks.&nbsp; Surprisingly, if you kept your head down in the water, breathing with every other stroke, the shotgun didn’t seem like that big of a deal.&nbsp; The fatigues were another matter.&nbsp; Nonetheless, I managed to finish first.</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was then able to take off the shotgun and fatigues and dive back in the pool to assist my team leader who, at that point, reminded me of a wounded duck, thrashing away, and making little progress.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">&nbsp; </span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I got a hold of him and pulled while he kicked.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">&nbsp; </span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dragging his exhausted body out of the pool, one of the instructors said, “Way to go big fella.”</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">&nbsp; </span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It made my day.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">&nbsp; </span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The training mission, throughout the two weeks, was to act as a team; that together the team would be stronger than the sum of any five individuals.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">&nbsp; </span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Team effort and spirit were often praised.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>If you passed and most did, you went back to your division to continue your training; and to be utilized in the more dangerous assignments.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>The point here is that, if SWAT training in my era was the equivalent of grade school or junior high, the modern HRT members are college graduates.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>To be continued…</b><o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>True Nelson</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>To visit my blog and many previous posts on various subjects, go to: &nbsp;<a href="http://trueattrue.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">TrueNelson</a></b></span></div>G Nelsonhttps://plus.google.com/107767859328193896656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232975761357978880.post-47466482145077168452017-05-30T15:31:00.000-07:002017-05-30T20:41:16.441-07:00Jeremy Joseph Christian murders two men and injures one on a MAX Train in Portland, Oregon.<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Much has been written and reported about the Friday murders on a Portland MAX (Metropolitan Area Express) commuter train.&nbsp; I have some thoughts from a law enforcement perspective.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Let’s be clear, I was not on the train.&nbsp; I have no firsthand knowledge of how the incident evolved.&nbsp; As I understand it…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">It was a busy commuter train loaded with passengers – about 4:30PM.&nbsp; Jeremy Christian was causing a disturbance.&nbsp; He was loud and erratic – screaming abusive language like:&nbsp; “colored people are ruining the city.” &nbsp;He then seemed to turn his wrath on two young women, who he perceived to be Muslim.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Passengers, three men, attempted to intervene, trying to calm Christian down, stating that he should sit down and leave the train at the next stop.&nbsp; The situation escalated quickly.&nbsp; Christian pulled a knife, slashing out, ultimately killing two of the men and injuring another.&nbsp; Christian then jumped off the train at the next station.&nbsp; He was quickly apprehended by law enforcement.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The citizens who confronted Christian are praised as heroes.&nbsp; And without doubt, their efforts to neutralize a bad situation were heroic.&nbsp; However, from a perspective of a former FBI Firearms and police instructor, their actions were perhaps ill-advised.&nbsp; This is not meant as criticism.&nbsp; The men showed bravery.&nbsp; Their intentions were noble.&nbsp; I will explain my reservations.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The men, probably due to the noise and confined space on the train, approached Christian too closely and attempted to reason with him.&nbsp; Christian was manic, apparently deranged and possibly under the influence of drugs.&nbsp; The men’s approach made him feel diminished and ‘trapped.’</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Experienced law enforcement officers know that people like Christian are not easily ‘talked down,’ especially when they have an audience.&nbsp; Police recognize that someone like Christian is extremely dangerous, and they would give themselves space to maneuver – unless a situation demands otherwise.&nbsp; A uniformed officer probably would have talked to Christian from five to ten feet and encouraged him to step off the train at the next stop so that they could discuss it; being careful that Christian would not perceive the situation as ‘losing face.’&nbsp; At that point, an arrest could be made without endangering other passengers.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">As an FBI Agent, I carried a gun on duty and off duty for several years.&nbsp; If I had been on the MAX train during this incident, I would not have approached Christian. &nbsp;As any citizen should, I would have called 911 advised them of the situation, asked the police to meet us at the next stop.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">What would Christian have done if I had approached him, showed my FBI credentials, and told him to sit down and be quiet?&nbsp; Probably, the situation would have gone from bad to worse.&nbsp; Now, if he had been brandishing a knife and threatening to harm other passengers that would be a very different situation and could have, probably would have, warranted lethal force.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;">True Nelson</span></b><o:p></o:p></div><br /><div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">&nbsp;<img alt="Related image" height="115" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTRA2uZreoAvV1hRgZ56GTugcZ-p3OE61_GFBvheXxOVGOfk1QqNQ" width="200" /></div>G Nelsonhttps://plus.google.com/107767859328193896656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232975761357978880.post-53642766925307180562017-05-27T14:15:00.000-07:002017-05-27T14:18:07.463-07:00My Life: I've Experienced a Life Changing Event (Part 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FfuYRWgBQDM/WSnoY9yOZfI/AAAAAAAABsg/jxly1Kwtl9g7Z3Jwpe4Q9Zd2WYobc4v4ACLcB/s1600/heart%2Bsurgery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="131" data-original-width="383" height="109" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FfuYRWgBQDM/WSnoY9yOZfI/AAAAAAAABsg/jxly1Kwtl9g7Z3Jwpe4Q9Zd2WYobc4v4ACLcB/s320/heart%2Bsurgery.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Before I leave the subject of my recent surgery, I’d like to express a word or two about religion and what role it plays in my life – more importantly what I believe.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This is an awkward subject in that I have had close friends and relatives who are, for lack of a better word, religious.&nbsp; On the other hand, I have had close friends and relatives who were atheists – at least I think that is how they would describe themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There is a saying that ‘there are no atheists in foxholes.’&nbsp; I tend to believe that, but can’t say with certainty.&nbsp; I’ve never been in a military operation where death seemed probable or imminent.&nbsp; Even if I had been, I’m convinced that would not be a priority topic for discussion among my comrades-in-arms.&nbsp; It’s just too personal.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">On a bit of an aside, awhile back I was reading about D-Day (June 6, 1944).&nbsp; There were many dying young men on the beaches, many merely boys.&nbsp; Medics reported that dying soldiers did not, for the most part, call out to God.&nbsp; They often called for their mothers.&nbsp; I found that statement troubling and hard to forget.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The type of heart surgery I had can be a little scary.&nbsp; They, after all, cut/saw your chest open and stop your heart while they make repairs.&nbsp; That said, we are so lucky/blessed to have the expert medical care that actually accomplishes this type of surgery – as well as even more difficult surgeries – on a day to day basis, on hundreds if not thousands of people.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">In my last meeting with the cardiac surgeon, before surgery, he was actually pretty upbeat – stating that he had done more than 30,000 similar surgeries.&nbsp; This was shocking – “30,000.”&nbsp; Then you start thinking maybe he will get bored with this particular operation, maybe lose focus and start thinking about playing golf later that day; or even worse – nod off during the procedure.&nbsp; He said that my surgery had a 99% chance of success and a complete recovery.&nbsp; I didn’t say it, but my immediate thought was:&nbsp; What about the other 1%? &nbsp;I did say “that sounds pretty good.”&nbsp; He smiled and went on his way.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">What is odd, from my perspective, is that he never asked anything about me.&nbsp; My wife was there so he knew I had family; but he asked nothing about me personally:&nbsp; What do you do in life?&nbsp; Are you retired?&nbsp; Do you have kids, grandkids?&nbsp; Hobbies?&nbsp; A dog?&nbsp; I guess he knew everything about me that he cared to know from the various x-rays, blood tests, my DOB, and my overall physical appearance.&nbsp; I was just number 30,002 as far as he was concerned.&nbsp; A few weeks later I went to his office for a follow-up, but he had an emergency surgery so my wife and I just talked to his nurse – who, incidentally, was quite nice.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">What does this have to do with religion?&nbsp; Well, I said a little prayer while they were wheeling me down to surgery.&nbsp; I did not ask for a successful surgery – too presumptuous.&nbsp; And what I did say (think) or ask from God is private.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">In the way of full disclosure, I’m not what you would consider a religious person.&nbsp; I consider myself an agnostic.&nbsp; I don’t know if there is a God.&nbsp; I don’t know that there isn’t a God.&nbsp; Those who have an established religious faith – I say ‘good for you;’ but, as far as I’m concerned no one knows with absolute certainty there is a God.&nbsp; That said, no one, including self-avowed atheists, even those willing to shout their atheism from the roof tops, know there is not a God.&nbsp; It is the ultimate unknowable.&nbsp; Someday, that final day, we will know or we won’t know. &nbsp;But, in the future, I plan to focus on the Golden Rule.&nbsp; That might be adequate.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Memorial Day is this coming Monday.&nbsp; Let’s remember… the boys.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">True Nelson</span></b></div>G Nelsonhttps://plus.google.com/107767859328193896656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232975761357978880.post-28699087178078057252017-05-23T21:07:00.000-07:002017-05-26T20:05:42.915-07:00MY LIFE – I’ve experienced a life changing event.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">In the future, maybe more than in my past blog posts, I plan to write about some of my life experiences, people I know and have known, events of note, and general experiences I’ve had thus far.&nbsp; Recently, I had one of those block-buster events that I must say knocked me back, and that’s an understatement.&nbsp; It caused me to reevaluate my priorities.&nbsp; Take a closer look at the meaning of life, and what’s important.</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">It came on rather suddenly.&nbsp; I was diagnosed with an aneurysm which was serious enough that I was routed immediately to the emergency room of a major hospital.&nbsp; As any doctor would tell you, if your aorta ruptures, it’s pretty much ‘lights out.’&nbsp; Kind of funny now, but my initial emotion was anger – anger at no one in particular I guess, except perhaps myself.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I’m in my early 70s, but I lived a fairly healthy life.&nbsp; I don’t drink or smoke.&nbsp; I’m generally careful about what I eat.&nbsp; I was not what you might consider overweight.&nbsp; I exercise and belong to a gym.&nbsp; It’s silly to think that way, but my initial impression was ‘this just isn’t fair.’&nbsp; Of course, I’m fully aware that one of the basic tenets of life is that life is never fair.&nbsp; Stupid of me to even think otherwise – even as a passing thought.&nbsp; Look around your local community.&nbsp; Look around the world.&nbsp; That I had such a thought, even momentarily, now embarrasses me.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Eight days in the hospital – replaced a portion of my aorta, a new heart valve, and one bypass.&nbsp; It’s been nearly eight weeks post-surgery.&nbsp; Recovery, at times, has been a bumpy road.&nbsp; I’ve lost quite a bit of weight.&nbsp; I now weigh what I did in high school; but look, of course, much worse than I did in high school.&nbsp; I now resemble a plucked, anorexic chicken.&nbsp; I won’t be prancing around the beach in my Speedo any time soon.&nbsp; (Actually I don’t have a Speedo, and haven’t had one since the HS swimming team.&nbsp; And my friends would surely opine ‘thank god for that.’)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I’m in a cardiac rehab program and making progress.&nbsp; The Doc said I could try golf again after three months.&nbsp; I’m a little worried about my golf game.&nbsp; But, friends have assured me not to worry, that my golf game never amounted to much anyway.&nbsp; It’s great to have friends willing to offer support when you’re really feeling down.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I’m going to write more about my life and how it has evolved.&nbsp; It’s been quite a ride.&nbsp; Some of you might enjoy reading this.&nbsp; Well, maybe not, but I plan to write about it anyway.&nbsp; It’s part of my therapy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;">True Nelson</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>G Nelsonhttps://plus.google.com/107767859328193896656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232975761357978880.post-11989639616900501372017-05-12T21:30:00.000-07:002017-05-13T10:15:35.436-07:00FBI Director James Comey; His Termination; Justified: Yes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0e6CxSHLBgk/WRaK3-cO7GI/AAAAAAAABrw/mQC7JLdKtEsOQ3lHBok0tgYvZw-3jmy8gCLcB/s1600/FBI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0e6CxSHLBgk/WRaK3-cO7GI/AAAAAAAABrw/mQC7JLdKtEsOQ3lHBok0tgYvZw-3jmy8gCLcB/s200/FBI.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I have some comments regarding the sudden termination of James Comey, FBI Director.&nbsp; It seemed pretty clear that Director Comey had to go.&nbsp; I do not, however, agree with the manner in which he was given his walking papers.&nbsp; Ham-fisted.&nbsp; You just don’t treat people that way.&nbsp; But the President just doesn’t seem to get it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I understand why a President, any President, under the given circumstances, would have ‘fired’ Comey.&nbsp; The Director seems to have let his ego overwhelm his judgement.&nbsp; I listened to all of his recent testimony before the Senate Committee; and it made me cringe.&nbsp; He was loving the limelight, basking in the attention.&nbsp; It was too obvious.&nbsp; His statement, in consideration that he might have influenced the Presidential election in some way, had made him “mildly nauseous,” well he made me mildly nauseous.&nbsp; An FBI Director simply does not talk that way.&nbsp; My opinion.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Now, I must say that Comey, as I understand it, was fairly well liked in the Bureau.&nbsp; Generally speaking, most who have worked with him consider him to be a good and decent man – intelligent, personable, and well versed in the law.&nbsp; But those qualities do not necessarily make a good Director of the FBI.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">His inevitable downfall began with his ‘prosecutive opinion’ regarding Hillary Clinton.&nbsp; At that point, he apparently decided to assert his primacy over the Attorney General’s Office which is, theoretically at least, his superior.&nbsp; His determination that Hillary Clinton should not be prosecuted – after describing in some detail how she was undoubtedly in violation of Federal Law – was something of a shock to those who have worked in federal law enforcement.&nbsp; He stated that there was no indication of “intent.’&nbsp; When the relevant statutes protecting classified information do not, for the most part, require establishing ‘intent.’&nbsp; Hillary Clinton violated the law – pure and simple.&nbsp; Comey should have turned that information over to the Department of Justice for them to make the decision as to whether or not <u>they</u> were willing to prosecute, and if not why not.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Summation:&nbsp; Hillary Clinton was either ‘off the chart’ ignorant of how to handle classified information, or she purposely defied the law – feeling, I suppose, that she was above the mundanity of such laws.&nbsp; I believe the latter.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">After exonerating her, Comey was later trapped attempting to explain to Congress and the American public why the FBI had to reopen the investigation of Hillary, and her errant emails, right before the Presidential election.&nbsp; The Weiner computer.&nbsp; Whoops.&nbsp; Last straw.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">And, what was the genesis of all this?&nbsp; Well, of course, it was the private meeting of the Master Manipulator Bill Clinton and Attorney General Loretta Lynch on the tarmac where, according to Lynch, they discussed grandchildren and golf.&nbsp; How stupid do they think we are?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Sorry Mr. Comey but you allowed yourself to become collateral damage of that meeting.&nbsp; It’s best that you move on.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;">True Nelson</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>G Nelsonhttps://plus.google.com/107767859328193896656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232975761357978880.post-43026260012902450072017-03-13T10:56:00.000-07:002017-03-13T10:56:02.232-07:00Malheur National Wildlife Refuge 'Takeover' / Second Trial Convictions / My Thoughts<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qDpD8vcQmxU/WMbSay5omjI/AAAAAAAABrU/sDflhyleltQpH_jl57pYqjjRoQ59chA2ACLcB/s1600/Malheur%2BArmed%2BStandoff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qDpD8vcQmxU/WMbSay5omjI/AAAAAAAABrU/sDflhyleltQpH_jl57pYqjjRoQ59chA2ACLcB/s1600/Malheur%2BArmed%2BStandoff.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I’ve always had this tendency to bristle whenever someone, who has never been in law enforcement or worked in the judicial system, lays that old saw on me:&nbsp; <i>Justice isn’t always just.</i>&nbsp; But, of course, they’re right.&nbsp; It’s sort of a bitter pill to swallow when you’ve dedicated a portion of your life to that profession.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Nonetheless, this brings me to the article by Maxine Bernstein in The Oregonian (March 12, 2017) –“Prosecutors Reflect on Refuge Takeover Trials.”&nbsp; This article pertains to the <u>second trial</u> in the unlawful takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, Oregon by ‘armed occupiers.’<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The ‘occupation,’ the ‘armed standoff,’ began in January of 2016; and ended with one of the ‘occupiers’ being shot and killed by Oregon State Police.&nbsp; There was, as noted, an earlier trial of the principals, the leadership, in that stand-off.&nbsp; All the defendants in the first trial (Ammon Bundy et al) were acquitted.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Ms. Bernstein asked U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams – why the U.S. Attorney’s office pursued a second trial of lesser involved defendants when the first trial of the leadership ended in acquittals.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Williams said that the “decision to continue to pursue felony conspiracy charges against the lesser-known defendants, after last fall’s acquittal of occupation leader Ammon Bundy and six other key figures, was made between his office and Justice officials.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">And you might ask:&nbsp; What’s the motivations behind that decision?&nbsp; Well, there are a couple of possible explanations.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"></div><ol><li><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">An ‘occupier,’ Robert ‘LaVoy’ Finicum was killed during the ‘stop’ by Oregon State Police and the FBI.&nbsp; Finicum’s wife is suing the Federal government charging ‘excessive force and wrongful death,’ among other things.&nbsp; She is asking for $5 million in damages for herself and for each of her 12 children.&nbsp; Federal lawyers do not want to go into court and attempt to fight those charges when no one was actually convicted of a crime - principally the big seven leaders of the ‘occupation.’&nbsp; It was imperative, therefore, that the government win at least some convictions and be able to trot-out some actual evidence of criminal behavior, even if those persons convicted played more minor roles.</span></b></li><li><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Furthermore, the U.S. Attorney’s office admitted that the acquittals in the first trial (the big seven) was an “excruciating” defeat.&nbsp; And, there could be an element of ‘saving face’ involved for the U.S. Attorney, the Department of Justice in D.C., and the FBI.</span></b></li><li><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The U.S. Attorney might also allude to a responsibility for pursuing prosecutions that are owed to the citizens of Burns and Harney County who were inconvenienced in many ways.&nbsp; But, I don’t think that aspect was given much weight.</span></b></li></ol><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">When Williams was additionally asked how he accepted the two significantly different trial verdicts, he responded that, “It takes two different juries evaluating the evidence and testimony and making different conclusions.&nbsp; Sometimes, that’s how this system works.’’&nbsp; No mention was made that the original defendants were ‘overly charged with complex crimes,’ which seemed to turn the trial into a nuanced exercise that the jury did not find understandable or compelling.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">But, to many of us, the conclusion is that:&nbsp; <i>Justice is not always just</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The following from Ms. Bernstein’s article:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Felony charges recently adjudicated in the second trial:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"></div><ul><li><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><u>Conspiracy</u> to impede employees of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the BLM from doing their work at the refuge through intimidation, threat or force.</span></b></li><li><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><u>Possessing a firearm</u> in a federal facility.</span></b></li><li><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><u>Depredation</u> of government property.&nbsp; (This was interesting.&nbsp; I thought I was fairly familiar with federal violations investigated by the FBI, but I’d never heard of anything like “Depredation.”&nbsp; I had to look up the word in the dictionary and found...&nbsp; “An attack involving plunder and pillage.”&nbsp; Wow, how would you like that on your rap sheet?)</span></b></li></ul><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Trial Decision Results:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"></div><ul><li><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Jason S. Patrick, age 43:&nbsp; Conspiracy – Guilty; Firearms – Not Guilty.</span></b></li><li><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Darryl W. Thorn, age 32:&nbsp; Conspiracy – Guilty; Firearms – Guilty.</span></b></li><li><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Duane L. Ehmer, age 46:&nbsp; Conspiracy – Not Guilty; Depredation - Guilty</span></b></li><li><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Jake E. Ryan, age 28:&nbsp; Conspiracy – Not Guilty; Depredation - Guilty</span></b></li></ul><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">And so it goes…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;">True Nelson</span></b><o:p></o:p><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;">PS: &nbsp;For those who would like to read more blog posts on this subject concerning the early 'takeover' and shooting...</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://goo.gl/oGUdS9" target="_blank">January 10, 2016</a></span></b><br /><b><br /></b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://goo.gl/GC1mGX" target="_blank">January 14, 2016</a></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://goo.gl/MaSARa" target="_blank">January 25, 2016</a></span><br /><br /><a href="https://goo.gl/S3mzUU" target="_blank">January 27, 2016</a><br /><br /><a href="https://goo.gl/ClbNN1" target="_blank">February 2, 2016</a></div></div>G Nelsonhttps://plus.google.com/107767859328193896656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232975761357978880.post-46609316247886400612017-03-04T16:27:00.001-08:002017-03-04T16:27:55.912-08:00President Donald Trump accuses Barrack Obama administration of ‘bugging’ the offices of Candidate Trump prior to the Election<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZX5Br9okaiU/WLtZQB3ZUNI/AAAAAAAABq8/FhPJOwjMYRsel6BO_9oFC7CQ_l7wVso2ACLcB/s1600/Donald%2BTrump%2B-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZX5Br9okaiU/WLtZQB3ZUNI/AAAAAAAABq8/FhPJOwjMYRsel6BO_9oFC7CQ_l7wVso2ACLcB/s200/Donald%2BTrump%2B-2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A very interesting development – explosive in a way – President Donald Trump has accused the Obama administration of placing a ‘wire-tap’ on the offices of candidate Donald Trump – weeks before the election.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In response, Barrack Obama has quickly and formally denied involvement in any such efforts – which could potentially be considered illegal.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>But, don’t be too quick to dismiss this as a Trump fantasy.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It is conceivable that the Obama administration perceived or imagined Trump’s suspected involvement with the Russians was to undermine the election.&nbsp; They (the Obama administration) directed a government agency to present their suspicions, via affidavit, to the FISA Court.&nbsp; This is usually done by the FBI or the NSA – but could have been presented by the United States Attorney.&nbsp; Permission could then have been granted by the court; and monitoring begun.</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Furthermore, the wire-tap process would require the Court to advise, in writing, the ‘target’ ninety days after the program had been terminated.&nbsp; The timing seems to fit.&nbsp; This information could have been just now dropped in Trump’s lap.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>If true, and we don’t know at this point, someone will almost certainly be 'thrown under the bus.' &nbsp;Will it be FBI Director Comey or perhaps former Attorney General Loretta Lynch?</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Obama will simply deny any knowledge and will have undoubtedly prepared a contingency plan.</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.4pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><u>FISA Court</u>:&nbsp; </i><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt;">a U S court composed of a rotating panel of federal judges that sits in secrecy to review prosecutors' requests to wiretap telephones of suspected spies and terrorists and to conduct searches.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.4pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>True Nelson</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>G Nelsonhttps://plus.google.com/107767859328193896656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232975761357978880.post-77120022221632654952017-02-25T09:07:00.000-08:002017-02-25T13:46:29.643-08:00Multnomah County Deputies (Portland, OR) Seize Record Haul (100 pounds) of Methamphetamine <div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Interesting article: &nbsp;The Oregonian (Portland Oregon’s daily newspaper; 2/24/17):<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">“Deputies seized nearly 100 pounds of methamphetamine worth more than $2 million from two homes in Portland and Gresham.”&nbsp; Guns, heroin and $30,000 in cash were also seized.&nbsp; Sounds like some darn good police work on the part of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CXhdo3KNvFM/WLGzYXaGB2I/AAAAAAAABqc/TSN8FDXbChYoi-v-B8sA59MnUoOiqRYCwCLcB/s1600/large-drug-bust-arrests.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CXhdo3KNvFM/WLGzYXaGB2I/AAAAAAAABqc/TSN8FDXbChYoi-v-B8sA59MnUoOiqRYCwCLcB/s320/large-drug-bust-arrests.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Here’s where I have to be a little tactful – you know, in light of Portland’s <i>Sanctuary City </i>thing. &nbsp;Nothing was mentioned in the newspaper article as to whether or not those arrested - &nbsp;Alfredo Narcisco Pineda, Alejandro Lopez Gonzales or Celso Marroquin Benitez - were in the United States legally.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Yes, I’m aware that the Portland Area City and County officials would probably say that the citizenship of these three criminals (alleged) is none of the public's business and even to consider such a thing is blatantly racist.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">OK, OK, I get it; but to continue…&nbsp; Let’s see, how did the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office possibly crack this case?&nbsp; Could it have had something to do with the arrest of Salvador Martinez-Perez, in mid-February, when his semi 'produce' truck ran in a ditch in Sherman County (North Central Oregon)?&nbsp; And, 'lo and behold,' hidden among the bell peppers was a large quantity of meth, heroine, and cocaine valued in excess of $1 million – likely en route to Portland.&nbsp; Could that have been a lead?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2nr6HhwEZfs/WLGzqybEC8I/AAAAAAAABqg/iCoNkGmkJFokzKquTeLEIFb31J5zz9FlgCLcB/s1600/Salvador%2BMartinez%2BPerez.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2nr6HhwEZfs/WLGzqybEC8I/AAAAAAAABqg/iCoNkGmkJFokzKquTeLEIFb31J5zz9FlgCLcB/s200/Salvador%2BMartinez%2BPerez.jpeg" width="160" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Oh yes, and incidentally, law enforcement did opine that it is likely, in view of the vast quantity of illegal drugs and other drug paraphernalia recovered in the recent arrests, that a Mexican drug cartel is probably involved.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">But, let’s be open minded…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There are probably several possibilities how this might have transpired.&nbsp; I will present two for your consideration:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">1) &nbsp;The four individuals, mentioned above, are here illegally, have close ties to a Mexican cartel; and perhaps were sent and settled into the Portland area due to the City’s ‘welcoming’ pronouncements by City leaders.</span></b><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">2) &nbsp;The four individuals are citizens by birth or are perhaps “Dreamers,” by President Obama’s definition – and that said four were on a college sponsored field trip to Mexico, maybe a research / study type program, when they were inadvertently introduced to a Mexican drug cartel.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I know, it’s none of my business what brought these four to Portland and whether or not they are here legally, whether they have been deported before, or why they were here in Portland in the first place; but inquiring minds want to know.&nbsp; I’d like to know.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The four, and perhaps others, were undoubtedly planning to dump this poison in our communities.&nbsp; Shouldn’t we know these things?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">If I was a betting man, I would bet serious money that…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;">True Nelson</span></b><o:p></o:p></div></div>G Nelsonhttps://plus.google.com/107767859328193896656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232975761357978880.post-19657151650308903672017-02-12T17:47:00.000-08:002017-02-12T17:47:58.472-08:00What is a ‘Sanctuary City,’ and what does that actually mean for a city like Portland, Oregon? / Conclusion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NyCLlzH7sFQ/WKEL5QTFVII/AAAAAAAABpk/s2M5HmglQk0EiWtZWMMEbaXtinG8OzQMQCLcB/s1600/Illegal%2Bimmigrants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NyCLlzH7sFQ/WKEL5QTFVII/AAAAAAAABpk/s2M5HmglQk0EiWtZWMMEbaXtinG8OzQMQCLcB/s1600/Illegal%2Bimmigrants.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Many people, the vast majority I would venture, and particularly young people who seem so eager to demonstrate (sometimes violently) in support of Sanctuary Cities, are misinformed about why City and State Administrators often promote the concept.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I’ve been researching immigration law and the various interpretations of the law.&nbsp; I started writing this long essay based on my research; but have given that up.&nbsp; It became a futile and tiresome project.&nbsp; Hit delete.&nbsp; Start over.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">So…&nbsp; Let’s see…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Illegal immigration is one of those issues, like ‘guns,’ you can research and discuss the subject; but no one is actually listening.&nbsp; And facts?&nbsp; Eyes glaze-over.&nbsp; Facts be damned.&nbsp; No one cares.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">We, of course, have definitive federal immigration laws.&nbsp; It quite clearly is against the law for foreign nationals to enter this country illegally.&nbsp; The first time is a misdemeanor, to include deportation.&nbsp; The second time is a felony.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Federal, State and City administrators have often taken it upon themselves to defy or ignore said law in the name of ‘compassion,’ hence <u>Sanctuary Cities</u>. The ‘compassion’ justification is phony.&nbsp; It is a deception.&nbsp; It is a lie.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The real reason is ‘expediency.’&nbsp; Take a city like Portland or San Francisco, who is going to clean the thousands of hotel/motel rooms, and do the tens of thousands of other jobs associated with keeping a City operating?&nbsp; What about farm labor?&nbsp; Who will do it?&nbsp; As I’ve said before ‘illegals,’ generally speaking, work hard and ask little of their employers.&nbsp; Well, you might ask, '<i>Is that a bad thing?&nbsp; The ‘illegals’ make money and the city or the farm hums-along.'<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">That’s one way to look at it.&nbsp; However, in reality it’s the hotel owners and their shareholders, agribusiness and their shareholders, as well as many other contractors and businesses who profit.&nbsp; But, who often picks up the associated tab?&nbsp; The taxpayers will pay to cover all manner of public services provided to the ‘illegals.’&nbsp; Additionally, there is an increase in crime.&nbsp; Yes, there is.&nbsp; Look it up.&nbsp; Research how many illegal immigrants now reside in our prison system.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Many politicians, of course, are on board with allowing ‘illegals;’ and often receive the support of those influential members of the community, stated above, who ultimately profit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">And, we can’t forget the associated benefit, ‘votes.’&nbsp; <i>‘Illegals can’t vote,’ </i>you might counter.&nbsp; No, but many U.S. citizens of the same ethnic background do vote; and they are sympathetic to the cause.&nbsp; Moreover, too many of the rest of us, have bought into the counterfeit ‘compassion’ argument that is continually put forth – and are therefore willing to, unwittingly in my opinion, go along.&nbsp; <i>‘It’s just the nice thing to do.’<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There are ways to solve the problem.&nbsp; If we need more immigrants – allow more to enter legally.&nbsp; If you want to stop illegal immigration, levy a large fine on anyone who hires an ‘illegal.’&nbsp; Of course, there would have to be some sort of legitimate system to easily verify who is actually a citizen of the U.S. and who is not.&nbsp; But, you see, that’s not going to happen any time soon.&nbsp; Enforcement would create for some very rich people an inordinate increase in their overhead.&nbsp; It is about, low cost, low maintenance, labor.&nbsp; It is, after all, for the movers and shakers of industry much more cost-effective to purchase a politician who will support their view.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">OK, you might add, '<i>What about all the illegals that now reside in the U.S. – many for decades?'<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">My response to that would be:&nbsp; In that our ‘system,’ at the local, state and federal levels, not only permitted this immigration travesty, but in many ways encouraged it, our federal government should make every effort to accommodate, in some way, the honest residents who are now here illegally; but to round-up and deport the others - to include those convicted of grievous misdemeanors (crimes against persons) and all felonies – no exceptions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://goo.gl/Za9WBY" target="_blank">To read my previous post click here.</a></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;">True Nelson</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>G Nelsonhttps://plus.google.com/107767859328193896656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232975761357978880.post-25002969929729566352017-02-04T15:06:00.000-08:002017-02-06T15:37:45.117-08:00What is a ‘Sanctuary City,’ and what does that actually mean for a city like Portland, Oregon? / Part 1<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8P2lch85msE/WJZasGnaeaI/AAAAAAAABpI/Loon5t8SypQTT2CVZx2t0obt6qHrq9u6ACLcB/s1600/Forrest%2BGump%2B-%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8P2lch85msE/WJZasGnaeaI/AAAAAAAABpI/Loon5t8SypQTT2CVZx2t0obt6qHrq9u6ACLcB/s1600/Forrest%2BGump%2B-%2B2.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">A ‘Sanctuary City’ or in some instances a ‘Sanctuary State’ has a stated policy to protect illegal immigrants by not enforcing federal law or cooperating with federal law enforcement agencies in immigration related enforcement.&nbsp; That policy can be expressly set forth as a law or just observed in practice.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Why do cities or states do that?&nbsp; The elected officials have two basic reasons that actually have little or nothing to do with compassion.&nbsp; However, ‘compassion’ is the song they sing – often associated with ‘crocodile tears.’<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Reason #1:&nbsp; Cities have influential citizens (the political donor class) who, for business reasons, require a considerable influx of cheap, hardworking, dependable labor.&nbsp; And, incidentally, it doesn’t hurt for the employer to have a little extra leverage in dealing with these workers (‘illegals’). The employers that I’m referring to are the owners and managers of hotels, motels, restaurants, construction operations of all types, as well as landscape and maintenance, ad infinitum.&nbsp; Said ‘illegals’ are not normally public employees in the immediate sense, but work for the countless companies that contract with the city and / or support the tourist industry.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Reason #2:&nbsp; The majority of the city’s voting constituency is in support of the ‘sanctuary city’ concept, even though the vast majority of the public does not understand what is involved, what it means, or how that might personally impact them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The typical Mayor of a city, such as Portland’s Mayor, Ted Wheeler, would principally focus on ‘reason number one;’ because ‘reason number 2’ could be easily neutralized or eliminated by any good PR firm.&nbsp; Besides ‘reason one’ is where the money is.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><h4><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In my <a href="https://goo.gl/oosM7W" target="_blank"><i>previous post</i></a>, I referred to Ted Wheeler as ignorant or stupid because of some of his recent comments and his strong support for the ‘sanctuary city program;’ as well as his strident comments to defy President Trump - regardless of the potential loss of federal funds and the impact those lost funds will have on City residents.</span></b></h4></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">OK, the Mayor isn’t stupid.&nbsp; Well, maybe, if you want to use Forrest Gump’s definition; and perhaps I’m tending to give the Mayor too much credit.&nbsp; Forrest Gump might be right.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">FG:&nbsp; <i>“Stupid is as stupid does.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><i><br /></i></span></b><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b>For Reference: &nbsp;<a href="https://goo.gl/oosM7W" target="_blank">My previous post</a>.</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">__________<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Next, I would like to discuss the law enforcement issues.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">To be continued…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;">True Nelson</span></span></b></div>G Nelsonhttps://plus.google.com/107767859328193896656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232975761357978880.post-44485785673356462842017-01-30T11:55:00.000-08:002017-05-08T21:09:28.921-07:00Sanctuary Cities, Portland, Oregon / Mayor Ted Wheeler / Is he ignorant or just kind of a nut?<div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x9pVoZgtibA/WI-YnxgrcmI/AAAAAAAABow/_31VrnuCWqQasfxciJlA3p01F1pPMvXSACLcB/s1600/Ted%2BWheeler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x9pVoZgtibA/WI-YnxgrcmI/AAAAAAAABow/_31VrnuCWqQasfxciJlA3p01F1pPMvXSACLcB/s200/Ted%2BWheeler.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I’d like to weigh-in on ‘sanctuary’ cities; and in support of President Trump’s current proclamations - which I understand are just temporary until the federal government can get a handle on what exactly is going on.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The associated impact of Sanctuary Cities is, without doubt, a law enforcement issue; and I believe most in the law enforcement community would agree.&nbsp; Maybe, I will talk more about this down the road and how politicians attempt to spin their unlawful actions in support of ‘sanctuary cities.’<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">But, for now, specifically, I’d like to talk about my home city, Portland, Oregon.&nbsp; They have ‘proudly’ proclaimed themselves a 'sanctuary city' – commonsense be damned.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I particularly got a good laugh out of the ‘In my opinion’ article in the Oregonian (1/29/17) by our newly elected Mayor, Ted Wheeler. &nbsp;As justification for his position on keeping Portland a sanctuary city, he utilized the famous quote displayed on the Statue of Liberty:&nbsp; “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore.&nbsp; Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">My suggestion is that Mayor Wheeler dig-out his underutilized college dictionary and look up the word ‘irony.’<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">And, then he should look out his window at the “homeless,” the “tired,” the “poor,’ the “huddled masses,” “the wretched refuse,” that currently try to survive the cold, hardships, and dangers associated with downtown Portland streets.&nbsp; They are on every block of the city.&nbsp; It’s a disgrace.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">My question would be:&nbsp; Is Mayor Wheeler just plain stupid or is he a nut?&nbsp; Probably not stupid and he has many degrees to prove it.&nbsp; He is, of course, playing his cards as a politician attempting to placate his base.&nbsp; Everyone should recognize that politicians have one priority and it is what’s best for them.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Wheeler is a new mayor, but he knows how the game is played – albeit clumsily in this instance. &nbsp;</span></b><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Sorry to say, he doesn’t understand how absolutely ridiculous he can sound.&nbsp; That seems to be a pretty common affliction with politicians these days.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;">True Nelson</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>G Nelsonhttps://plus.google.com/107767859328193896656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232975761357978880.post-88422747681976584942017-01-26T12:54:00.000-08:002017-01-27T21:09:02.057-08:00President Obama ignores pleas to pardon or commute the prison sentence of Leonard Peltier (Cop Killer)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RYzRPXo4SxY/WIphqheIwyI/AAAAAAAABoY/kHICZPVg5nYRcxtsaey9cx7OPIDWdehrgCLcB/s1600/Obama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RYzRPXo4SxY/WIphqheIwyI/AAAAAAAABoY/kHICZPVg5nYRcxtsaey9cx7OPIDWdehrgCLcB/s1600/Obama.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Well, I was happy to see that President (now former) Barrack Obama did not, in the waning days of his administration, pardon or commute the sentence of Leonard Peltier who was convicted for the execution-style murder of two FBI Special Agents – Ronald Williams and Jack Coler.&nbsp; As a result, Peltier will probably live out the remainder of his miserable life in prison – as he should.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I hope the former President understood that his decision regarding Peltier will likely compromise any future positive relationships he might have had with the likes of Robert Redford, Willie Nelson and Pamela Anderson.&nbsp; But, these are the small sacrifices associated with leadership.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 13px;"><a href="https://goo.gl/O0nnNg"><b>More information on this topic...</b></a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;">True Nelson</span></b><o:p></o:p><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>G Nelsonhttps://plus.google.com/107767859328193896656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232975761357978880.post-45245560298226525862017-01-01T22:07:00.001-08:002017-01-02T07:50:47.932-08:00The Lionization of a ‘Cop Killer’ (Leonard Peltier) by a tax subsidized University (American University, Washington DC)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JyoAU0vhe5o/WGnks-3GYqI/AAAAAAAABns/f49sd3_gd70aEV90HLrxxpjUCe8LLM5pACLcB/s1600/RebeccaProPhotoClose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JyoAU0vhe5o/WGnks-3GYqI/AAAAAAAABns/f49sd3_gd70aEV90HLrxxpjUCe8LLM5pACLcB/s200/RebeccaProPhotoClose.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Most decent people hate to read stuff like this, much less think about it.&nbsp; It sometimes seems hopeless.&nbsp; What’s that?&nbsp; Oh, the Leonard Peltier statue erected on the American University campus in Washington DC.&nbsp; It’s an affront to all decent people, and American University should hear from us.&nbsp; But, guess what, they couldn’t care less. </b><i><o:p></o:p></i></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>Ms. Rebeca Basu, Public Relations Manager for said University put forth the schools justification:</i><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><b><i><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #343434; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">American University regards this statue as an exhibited piece of art and takes no position on the advocacy movement.</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #343434; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> As part of a major clemency push by supporters in the final days of President Barack Obama's presidency, a 9-foot-tall statue of Native American activist and prisoner Leonard Peltier has been installed at American University Museum to raise awareness for Peltier's plight and pardon request. Peltier, convicted and sentenced in 1977 in the shooting of two Federal Bureau of Investigation agents, has maintained his innocence in the 41 years he's been imprisoned, and his conviction has been contested by leading human rights organizations in the United States and beyond.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #343434; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ms. Basu (pictured above), who incidentally looks about 18 years old, has articulated the University’s position.&nbsp; It sounds pretty harmless doesn’t it?&nbsp; Did you notice how she frames her statement to illuminate (exaggerate) “Peltier’s plight” and to minimize the University's dubious motives.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #343434; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, let’s see… ‘Peltier’s plight’ is that he is now serving a life sentence for the brutal execution style murder of two FBI Agents – which Ms. Basu passes off in a very sanitized way as “the shooting of two Federal Bureau of Investigation Agents.”&nbsp; Almost sounds accidental, doesn’t it? &nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #343434; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Special Agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams were working a federal case on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation (South Dakota) – an inquiry that had nothing to do with Leonard Peltier.&nbsp; As the Agents drove along, their car was ambushed from a distance by Leonard Peltier et al.&nbsp; The Agents' car was quickly riddled with bullets and disabled.&nbsp; Both Agents were wounded.&nbsp; They tried to take cover behind their car and return fire, but all they had available were their revolvers and a shotgun.&nbsp; They were outgunned and had nowhere to hide.&nbsp; After sustaining numerous wounds and unable to resist any further, Peltier et al approached the Agents who were at that point unarmed and helpless.&nbsp; The Agents were shot in the head at close range.&nbsp; One Agent made an attempt to protect his face with his hand, an ineffective defense gesture of submission; but the bullet, of course, passed through his hand and into his face.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #343434; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #343434; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Here are the facts of which you should be aware…&nbsp; A letter sent to American University’s President from the FBI’s Agents’ Association. &nbsp;And, just who is the illustrious President (the principal decision maker) of said University? &nbsp;He is Dr. Cornelius M. Kerwin, aka Neil (and pictured below). &nbsp;I'm sure he is the one who gave Ms. Basu her marching orders.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SpHgOww3dhQ/WGpvLFuwtqI/AAAAAAAABn8/MTwUJVEKxWksbcoezg6DyMiFCrTtelHmgCLcB/s1600/Neil%2BKerwin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SpHgOww3dhQ/WGpvLFuwtqI/AAAAAAAABn8/MTwUJVEKxWksbcoezg6DyMiFCrTtelHmgCLcB/s200/Neil%2BKerwin.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b><span style="color: #343434; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">December 29, 2016<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">American University<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">4400 Massachusetts Ave., NW<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Washington, DC 20016-8060<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br /><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Dear President Kerwin:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br /><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I write today on behalf of the FBI Agents Association (FBIAA), a voluntary professional association currently representing over 13,000 active duty and retired FBI Special Agents.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br /><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We write to express our concern regarding the decision by American University (AU) to proudly display a statue of convicted murderer Leonard Peltier in an outdoor area, and to announce that decision by repeating slanted and misleading claims about Peltiers’ murder convictions.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br /><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The message being sent by AU to FBI Special Agents and their families, past and present, and to all members of the law enforcement community, is both clear and troubling— AU has decided to advance the political arguments of activists with little concern for providing all of the facts or considering the views of law enforcement.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br /><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The fact that the display is a political statement, rather than simply a display of art, is made clear in the press materials released by AU in connection with the display.&nbsp; The AU press release notes that the display is “part of a major clemency push by [Peltier] supporters” and that the installation is intended to “raise awareness for Peltier’s plight and pardon request.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br /><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The press release from AU also includes misleading descriptions of Peltier’s case and a variety of hyperlinks to activist groups that have created a cottage industry dedicated to misleading the public about Peltier. The press release does not, however, mention the names of the murdered FBI agents, the circumstances surrounding their execution, or the exhaustive judicial process already utilized by Peltier.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br /><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The FBIAA believes that AU should remove the installation, and that AU has a responsibility to share additional facts with students and the public.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br /><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Relevant facts regarding Peltier and his convictions include:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br /><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">On June 26, 1975, Leonard Peltier was involved in an unprovoked attack on FBI Agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams while they were searching for a fugitive on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Both agents were caught in an open field in a deadly crossfire by members of the American Indian Movement. Both agents were critically wounded and then summarily executed with rifle shots at pointblank range, killing them instantly and mutilating their faces.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br /><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Leonard Peltier was convicted of first degree murder and aiding and abetting in those murders and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences. Through well-over a dozen appeals, twice reaching the U.S. Supreme Court, every aspect of Peltier’s trial has been reviewed in minute detail and his conviction and sentence has been upheld in every instance.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br /><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Peltier has been far from a model prisoner, and would never be considered a candidate for clemency but for his status as a political celebrity. Peltier has been punished numerous times for violating prison rules. In 1978, he was involved in an armed escape from Lompoc Penitentiary, during which shots were fired at prison guards. For this post-conviction criminal act, Peltier received an additional seven-year consecutive sentence.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br /><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Peltier does not have a credible argument for clemency. One of the requirements for Executive Clemency, as described by the U.S. Attorney’s manual, is that a prisoner has accepted responsibility “for his or her criminal conduct and made restitution to its victims” and that “A petitioner should be genuinely desirous of forgiveness rather than vindication.” Peltier’s supporters, and now AU, have decided to re-litigate the Peltier case rather than satisfy this requirement. AU has repeated the familiar mix of folklore, falsehoods and out-of-context statements that are designed to both exonerate and lionize Peltier in the eyes of the public, rather than show any true remorse regarding the murders of Agents Coler and Williams.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br /><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The FBIAA is committed to protecting the Constitution, and we appreciate the right to free expression. However, with that right comes a responsibility to consider the consequences of speech. AU should not use its property to celebrate the man convicted of murdering FBI Special Agents Coler and Williams.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">PS:&nbsp; One more comment from me regarding ‘freedom of speech’ and the diversity issue on campuses that seems to supersede any semblance of commonsense.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">American University is proud to display a statue of Leonard Peltier (convicted cop killer), but would they do the same for someone like General Robert E. Lee?&nbsp; I don’t think so.&nbsp; That would be just too controversial and politically incorrect.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">To read more details of this case please refer to previous posts:</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: &quot;roboto&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://goo.gl/GDqis1">More Info Regarding Leonard Peltier (earlier post - part 1)</a></span><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: &quot;roboto&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: &quot;roboto&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: &quot;roboto&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://goo.gl/VGdhLB">More Info Regarding Leonard Peltier (earlier post - part 2)</a></span></span><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: &quot;roboto&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: &quot;roboto&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://goo.gl/QSNaVq">More Info Regarding Leonard Peltier (earlier post - part 3)</a></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>True Nelson</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>G Nelsonhttps://plus.google.com/107767859328193896656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232975761357978880.post-30346281513091525982016-12-21T13:25:00.000-08:002016-12-21T13:32:21.339-08:00The Electoral College 2016 / What is it anyway? / Is it fair? / Why do we have it? / and Donald Trump (Conclusion)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-petsL2TdImc/WFrtTH2dmnI/AAAAAAAABnU/22CamDa36_QXF54Mv3Qf2Vcfd1InMecYgCLcB/s1600/Faith%2BSpotted%2BEagle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-petsL2TdImc/WFrtTH2dmnI/AAAAAAAABnU/22CamDa36_QXF54Mv3Qf2Vcfd1InMecYgCLcB/s320/Faith%2BSpotted%2BEagle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Well, it is over.&nbsp; Donald J. Trump is to be the next President of the United States.&nbsp; The Electors, selected by their respective states, for the most part, voted as their state designated.&nbsp; But five Democratic Electors bailed on Hillary Clinton; and two Republican Electors failed to vote for Donald Trump as they were sworn to do.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Get this though, the ‘faithless’ Democratic Electors voted as follows:&nbsp; three voted for Colin Powell (believed to be a Republican – but maybe not), one voted for Bernie Sanders (OK, perhaps understandable), and one voted for Sioux Tribal Leader Faith Spotted Eagle (pictured above).<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>On the Republican side, one of the ‘faithless’ Electors voted for John Kasich (Yes, Kasich is a Republican and did run for President) and one ‘faithless’ Elector voted for Ron Paul (Ron is a self-avowed Libertarian, but Ron Paul’s son, Rand, did actually run as a Republican Presidential Candidate.&nbsp; Apparently, said Elector didn’t think Rand was ready for the ‘big show,’ forgot his name, or clutched under pressure).<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>A couple of thoughts here:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>First, I love that term ‘faithless.’&nbsp; Where’d they come up with that?&nbsp; It seems to have some religious connotation – not on purpose I imagine.&nbsp; Kind of archaic – maybe some history there.&nbsp; And, I suppose the synonym ‘unfaithful’ has another more modern meaning – perhaps overused already.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Were these ‘faithless’ Electors making a political statement, or were they making a joke about what the Electoral College is or has become?&nbsp; They will indeed have their fifteen minutes of fame; and historians will remember them fondly as ‘screwballs.’&nbsp; And so goes are political system.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>I kind of agree with the Electoral College system and wouldn’t necessarily support its abolishment.&nbsp; It’s a good thing in a way – giving smaller, less populated states a say in the process.&nbsp; But, I think the Electors should be subjected to a significant penalty for not voting as they promised to do.&nbsp; How about 30 days in the County Jail and a $5000 fine?&nbsp; That way, if an Elector decides to stand on principle, or to just be difficult, he or she might think about their decision more than once – and, perhaps, make that decision while not under the influence of an intoxicant.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>True Nelson</b></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://goo.gl/vrQ1CP">The Electoral College 2016 / What is it anyway? / Is it fair?... Part One</a></b></span></div>G Nelsonhttps://plus.google.com/107767859328193896656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232975761357978880.post-66022426877372093652016-12-15T15:11:00.000-08:002016-12-18T07:48:01.706-08:00The Electoral College 2016 / What is it anyway? / Is it fair? / Why do we have it? / and Donald Trump<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aAmYOmHGdzk/WFMdFWPYDEI/AAAAAAAABm4/x5YF_G8RoH0R_ploCj_IIVYfQ40tgAnSgCLcB/s1600/Rioter.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aAmYOmHGdzk/WFMdFWPYDEI/AAAAAAAABm4/x5YF_G8RoH0R_ploCj_IIVYfQ40tgAnSgCLcB/s320/Rioter.png" width="276" /></a></div><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">On December 19<sup>th</sup> the Electoral College members will vote and confirm Donald Trump as the next President of the United States.&nbsp; And, I must say that most Oregonians that reside in the Portland Metro area have their respective undershorts or panties in a bunch regarding that expectation; not to mention the Hillary supporters, aka liberal activists (rioters) (or as I affectionately refer to them – ‘knuckleheads'), who spent a good bit of their inordinate spare time wrecking a very liberal city (Portland). &nbsp;Moreover, the majority of said ‘knuckleheads’ didn’t vote or were not even registered to vote. &nbsp;However, that didn't seem to hold any particular sway with them. &nbsp;And, incidentally, said rioters will not, for the most part, be prosecuted because around here we are very protective of free speech – even when it includes significant taxpayer dollars lost (in the millions) for property damage and police overtime.&nbsp; No one was killed you understand. &nbsp;And, boys and girls (as they say) will be boys and girls.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">So here we are.&nbsp; The new target (temporarily) is the Electoral College.&nbsp; Liberal activists are hoping that the appointed Electors will revolt and turn the process on its head.&nbsp; If so, the Electors by showing their disapproval of the process, which they previously volunteered for (including swearing an oath), will as a result throw the Presidential election into chaos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><h4><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The Electoral College:</span></b></h4></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Unfortunately, most voters do not know much about the Electoral College and I’ve done some research that may be helpful.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><u>How is the number of Electors for each State established</u>?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Each State gets the number of Electors equal to the State’s number of members in the U.S. House of Representatives plus their two Senators.&nbsp; Washington DC (not a state) also gets three Electors.&nbsp; Each State has a minimum of three – correlated to two Senators and one Representative.&nbsp; Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories do participate and vote in the Presidential primaries, but do not vote or participate in the actual election.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">It is important to note that the number of Representatives to Congress is designated by the associated State’s population – not the number of registered voters and not the number of actual U.S. citizens in the State – it is the population overall based on the census at which time everyone is counted.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There are approximately 2.7 million residents in California designated as being illegal, about 7% of that State’s population.&nbsp; Those illegals are counted toward awarding California its apportioned Congressional Representatives – even though the 2.7 million are in this country illegally.&nbsp; For perspective, the 2.7 million illegals are equivalent to approximately 70% of Oregon’s entire population.&nbsp; So, what’s the point?&nbsp; Could it be that California actually has more Congressional Representatives and also Electors than it should have?<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><u>We live in a Democracy, or do we</u>?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Yes, I understand that Clinton won the popular vote; but lost the Electoral vote.&nbsp; And, many claim we live in a democracy – so what’s up with that? &nbsp;Perhaps a technicality to some; but (surprise) we don’t live in a pure democracy.&nbsp; We live, and have always lived since this Country was founded, in a ‘Democratic Republic.’&nbsp; What’s the difference?&nbsp; Well, it’s time you looked it up.&nbsp; The Electoral College is emblematic of a ‘Democratic Republic.’&nbsp; Pure democracies can become tyrannies where 51% of the population dictates to the 49% (some have described it as ‘mob rule.’) &nbsp;The U.S. Constitution, in many respects, was written to protect the 49%, the minority – and that is a standard that most of us would agree is a good thing.&nbsp; Am I wrong?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">To be continued…</span></b><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;">True Nelson</span></b></div>G Nelsonhttps://plus.google.com/107767859328193896656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232975761357978880.post-62953346439966262712016-12-07T19:22:00.001-08:002016-12-07T20:47:48.888-08:00Thanksgiving Dinner at Jake’s in Portland (2016) / the good and the bad / The ‘Homeless’<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0tYulzUM1ec/WEjNWi-BqRI/AAAAAAAABmE/1bjZDZ5BVgMuZqnJlAKQCQG0pMSlq83zQCLcB/s1600/1homelessslideshow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0tYulzUM1ec/WEjNWi-BqRI/AAAAAAAABmE/1bjZDZ5BVgMuZqnJlAKQCQG0pMSlq83zQCLcB/s320/1homelessslideshow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I know Christmas is less than three weeks away; but I’ve still been thinking about Thanksgiving – the good and the bad - mostly the bad.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This year the family went to Jake’s on 10<sup>th</sup> Street in downtown Portland for Thanksgiving dinner.&nbsp; It’s a nice restaurant.&nbsp; Eating out on Thanksgiving might not be everyone’s cup of tea; but it certainly saves a lot of wear and tear on those who customarily would be required to prepare Thanksgiving dinner at home.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Well, what was it like having dinner at Jake’s?&nbsp; The answer:&nbsp; good and bad.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The meal and service were very good.&nbsp; The meals started at about $40, but I guess that’s to be expected considering the holiday aspect and the venue.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">However… right outside the large window where we were seated was a ‘homeless’ woman, huddled under a quilt, trying to stay warm on a cold, rainy night.&nbsp; She was, or at least looked, middle-aged.&nbsp; I couldn’t get her out of my mind.&nbsp; Except for the window, she was not more than four or five feet away.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">We were in the restaurant about two hours.&nbsp; When we exited the restaurant onto the street, the woman was mostly covered and facing the wall.&nbsp; I lightly touched her shoulder and said something like, “Ma’am, excuse me.”&nbsp; The quilt was wet to the touch.&nbsp; She glanced at me and if looks could kill I would have breathed my last at that very instant.&nbsp; I put a twenty down near her face.&nbsp; She grabbed the money and pulled the quilt over her head.&nbsp; I walked on with my family.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This ‘homeless’ woman is not unique.&nbsp; In Portland, ‘homeless’ people are everywhere.&nbsp; It is a public disgrace.&nbsp; The City of Portland has been struggling with the problem for many years, but it only seems to get progressively worse.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The Oregonian newspaper (photo above from the same) did an article awhile back on the subject.&nbsp; At the time, their research found that 20% of the ‘homeless’ are Mentally Ill, 20% are Chronic Substance Abusers, 10% are Victims of Domestic Violence and 10% are veterans.&nbsp; I suppose some, maybe many, are on the streets because this is their choice.&nbsp; I don’t know.&nbsp; But, there are thousands of the ‘homeless’ populating Portland streets.&nbsp; Why can’t we do something?&nbsp; Why can’t we at the very least care for the Mentally Ill?&nbsp; Wouldn’t that constitute some progress?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Next Thanksgiving, I will not be eating at Jake’s.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;">True Nelson</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>G Nelsonhttps://plus.google.com/107767859328193896656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232975761357978880.post-49949192664715736312016-11-17T09:52:00.000-08:002016-11-18T08:24:49.924-08:00The Patricia Hearst Kidnapping / Some Final Thoughts / Conclusion<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SAfyIxue7iE/WC3oHz3xnFI/AAAAAAAABlo/947SOGq3sNApX28-w7HVtdZxlF2TOdqcgCLcB/s1600/IMG_2475%2B-a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SAfyIxue7iE/WC3oHz3xnFI/AAAAAAAABlo/947SOGq3sNApX28-w7HVtdZxlF2TOdqcgCLcB/s320/IMG_2475%2B-a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">When I think back on the Patty Hearst investigation, I don’t remember any unusually dramatic experiences – that pertained to me directly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Oh, I suppose I could bore you with endless stories about what it was like to be a FBI Agent working in Berkeley – in the early 70’s.&nbsp; It was ‘surreal.’&nbsp; And, yes, I understand that word is often overused, but that’s the way it was.&nbsp; It was a crazy time.&nbsp; Such as?&nbsp; Well, like following Bill Walton around Berkeley.&nbsp; You know Bill, the basketball player.&nbsp; He was a shirt-tail radical at the time, and wanted to get involved some way in the Hearst matter.&nbsp; I remember he was on crutches and was about seven feet tall – so he was pretty easy to follow.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<i> Alice: But I don't want to go among mad people.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Cat: Oh, you can't help that. We're all mad here.</i><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">You gradually become acclimated.&nbsp; The abnormal and bizarre begin to become normal and routine.&nbsp; For the most part, the Agents were hard-working and professional; but there were, of course, many exceptions.&nbsp; There was some danger involved; and it went without saying the potential danger could extend to your family.&nbsp; On many occasions, I got down on my knees to examine the undercarriage of my BuCar and even my personal automobile – looking for bombs.&nbsp; There was a joke circulated about having your wife go out in the morning to start your car.&nbsp; Not funny for most, I suppose; but Agents initially found it rather hilarious.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The days were long and exhausting, nerves got frayed.&nbsp; Ultimately the Agents’ feelings toward Patty Hearst deteriorated – going from ‘I will risk my life to save her’ to something along the lines of ‘f--- her, I couldn’t care less.’&nbsp; Most of us just wanted it to be over.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">A couple other comments about the principal Agents mentioned in Jeffrey Toobin’s book, <i><u>American Heiress</u>:<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><u>Charles W. Bates</u>, FBI Special Agent in Charge, San Francisco Division, during the Hearst investigation:&nbsp; The Agents referred to him as Charlie.&nbsp; I don’t know if he liked that name or not.&nbsp; My experience, and I had a few contacts with him while in SF, was that he was formal, remote, often humorless and not particularly interested in the working Agents.&nbsp; During the Hearst case, he spent a lot of time, much of it reportedly was social time, with the Hearst family.&nbsp; Too much time, in my opinion – but they were, after all, the Hearsts.&nbsp; Much of this time he should have spent with his Agents addressing leadership issues and morale.&nbsp; There often seemed to be a leadership vacuum in the division.&nbsp; Just my opinion.&nbsp; Perhaps I am wrong.&nbsp;&nbsp; I understand he had a long and distinguished career in the Bureau.&nbsp; He passed-away at 79.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><b><span style="font-family: &quot;times&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">Picture above is several of us receiving an ‘incentive award’ for the capture of Cecil Robert Moody Jr., age 29, a former associate of SLA member, Donald DeFreeze.&nbsp; Moody was wanted for armed robbery and murder.&nbsp; Charlie Bates is in the center, dark suit, and terrific smile.&nbsp; I am the tall dude, second from right.&nbsp; I participated in the investigation leading up to the arrest; and was given the ‘honor’ of smashing down the apartment door with a 16 pound sledge hammer.&nbsp; Moody was nude when captured, sleeping with two semi-naked women.&nbsp; A loaded .357 magnum was under the bed, where he could quickly get to it.&nbsp; Wisely, he made no move to do that.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><u>Tom Padden</u>, FBI Special Agent, San Francisco Division, directly involved in the capture of Patty Hearst:&nbsp; I knew Tom casually.&nbsp; He was an older Agent and assigned to the Bank Robbery, Fugitive Squad.&nbsp; As I recall he was, at one time, with the Portland Police Bureau – and we discussed that we were both from Oregon.&nbsp; Tom was one of the older Agents who chose to remain a ‘Street Agent,’ not interested in advancement.&nbsp; He was highly regarded.&nbsp; The fact that he was assigned or given the opportunity to arrest Patty was not circumstantial.&nbsp; The arrest was, as I remember, a gift assignment largely based on information developed by other Agents.&nbsp; However, I don’t begrudge him that assignment.&nbsp; He was a good Agent.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><u>Monte Hall</u>, FBI Special Agent, San Francisco Division:&nbsp; An older Agent, I knew him, but had very little contact with him.&nbsp; He was on the same squad as Tom, and I believe Tom and Monte were close friends.&nbsp; Monte might have been the squad supervisor – not sure about that.&nbsp; Tom and Monte were major characters in Jeffrey Toobin’s book.&nbsp; From what I read, it sounded like Monte may have been a little too cozy with the Hearst defense team – maybe not the most professional conduct, in my opinion.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">As I’ve said before, on the inside, the whole Hearst / SLA investigation seemed often disorganized. &nbsp;I suppose it’s easy to criticize, but that was the way it seemed to me.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">For example:&nbsp; To my knowledge, the FBI never set-up a professionally structured ‘hotline’ to receive tips from the public, as well as to offer a substantial reward.&nbsp; The public did occasionally call in tips to various FBI offices, but those tips were sometimes ignored or haphazardly recorded.&nbsp; I know of one instance where a caller telephoned the Resident Agency in the South San Francisco area; gave good information on the SLA’s possible location (which was later confirmed to be accurate), but the Resident Agent failed to write a memo reporting the caller’s information.&nbsp; I guess he thought the tip didn’t sound credible.&nbsp; Many of us thought the Agent should be fired, but he wasn’t.&nbsp; I believe he received a letter of censure.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The ‘water – gas leads,’ when Agents were sent to every residence in the Bay area where new hook-ups for water, gas, electricity were ordered.&nbsp; The operation became very public – ridiculously so – but might have caused the SLA to move south to Los Angeles.&nbsp; Was that a good thing?&nbsp; Doubtful.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I could go on, but what’s the point. &nbsp;</span></b><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Anyway, I enjoyed reading <i>American Heiress</i>.&nbsp; It brought back many memories.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Oh yes, in a previous post, I referred to ‘towers’ and that I would subsequently explain what they were. &nbsp;This is what the Bureau called them and perhaps now calls fixed surveillance locations.&nbsp; A tower could be an apartment, hotel room, or vacant building overlooking a location believed to be frequented by a suspect, person of interest or associate of same.&nbsp; Towers could be operational for several hours or for many months – even years for those working foreign embassies.&nbsp; It was boring, tedious work.&nbsp; Towers were often used in organized crime cases and counter-espionage.&nbsp; During the Hearst case, I spent one night in a teenage girl’s bedroom which overlooked the apartment of a possible associate of the SLA.&nbsp; The girl, of course, slept downstairs on the living room sofa; but she made it clear that she was more than a little irritated by the FBI invading her private space.&nbsp; I spent the night sitting on the floor and braced against her bed – drifting in and out of some sort of dream-like state.&nbsp; It was miserable – and uneventful.&nbsp; When I came down in the morning, the girl’s parents offered me coffee.&nbsp; They were gracious.&nbsp; The girl – eyed me suspiciously.&nbsp; I apologized for the inconvenience.&nbsp; Another Agent, later in the day, followed-up with a nice gift for the family.&nbsp; This ‘tower’ turned out to be a one night deal – and was discontinued.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://goo.gl/wLN2zH">Patricia Hearst Kidnapping: &nbsp;Part 1</a></span></b><br /><b><br /></b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://goo.gl/fmuPgG">Patricia Hearst Kidnapping: &nbsp;Part 2</a></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://goo.gl/bfWTKI">Patricia Hearst Kidnapping: &nbsp;Part 3</a></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://goo.gl/bHJGeS">Patricia Hearst Kidnapping: &nbsp;Part 4</a></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;">True Nelson</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>G Nelsonhttps://plus.google.com/107767859328193896656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232975761357978880.post-70639922595720373702016-10-31T10:20:00.001-07:002016-10-31T13:18:30.571-07:00FBI Director, James B. Comey, Reopens Hillary Clinton Email Investigation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tUuyW8vs96w/TYKkMY1pTeI/AAAAAAAABWg/R-utk7dIIGcpVog-J2cgsKeVaq2jtgqYQCPcB/s1600/FBIbadge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tUuyW8vs96w/TYKkMY1pTeI/AAAAAAAABWg/R-utk7dIIGcpVog-J2cgsKeVaq2jtgqYQCPcB/s1600/FBIbadge.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Breaking news… FBI Director, James B. Comey, is once again in the 'hot seat.'<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">First, it is my opinion that Director Comey is doing the right thing by notifying Congressional members of the recent developments in the Hillary Clinton ‘email investigation.’&nbsp; Moreover, I don’t think he had any other viable choice in the matter.&nbsp; But, I also believe that he put himself in the box by not following normal and customary FBI procedures initially.&nbsp; Meaning…?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The FBI is now, and always has been, an investigative agency.&nbsp; Usual procedure in FBI investigations is to conduct same in a thorough manner; and then present the results to the regional United States Attorney; or in this instance it would have been the United States Attorney General (Loretta Lynch).&nbsp; Comey put himself in the spotlight for questionable reasons, or at the direction of Lynch, when he gave his famous, or infamous depending upon your point-of-view, analysis of the original Clinton email investigation – and that said case had no prosecutive merit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Why did he do that?&nbsp; I’m not sure.&nbsp; Perhaps, it was a matter of self-assertion (I’m a player too), or perhaps self-promotion (political ambitions.) Or, maybe, it was at the direction of someone in the Obama administration (like the President himself) to take the focus off Lynch and her very inappropriate meeting on the tarmac with Bill Clinton.&nbsp; If Lynch would have allowed Hillary to ‘walk,’ the public would have screamed ‘cover-up,’ and with some justification.&nbsp; So, it probably appeared like a good move to everyone, including Comey, that he give the prosecutorial opinion.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">But, don’t tell me that Comey made the decision on his own.&nbsp; I just can’t buy it.&nbsp; Obama was in.&nbsp; Lynch was in.&nbsp; It all seemed so simple and clean at the time – to the ‘players’ at least.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Comey is in a bind.&nbsp; I wonder how this will all work-out – his career that is.&nbsp; Now, certain members of Congress are throwing their weight around – saying Comey has violated the Hatch Act.&nbsp; That is just ‘eye wash’ folks.&nbsp; Politics talking.&nbsp; It’s not going to happen.&nbsp; Comey, as of now, is doing the right thing. &nbsp;Let's see how it plays out.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The Clinton Foundation is still on the FBI's table. &nbsp;More to come I predict.</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Interesting Presidential election, isn't it?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><i>Fidelity, Bravery and Integrity </i>(The FBI Motto)</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;">True Nelson</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>G Nelsonhttps://plus.google.com/107767859328193896656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232975761357978880.post-59128378822285893472016-10-20T15:56:00.000-07:002016-10-20T15:56:04.824-07:00The Patricia Hearst Kidnapping (Part 4) / Camilla Hall’s Cat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fMGeEahv9tc/WAlGZC4U-hI/AAAAAAAABkg/vGFfdlMOkl4PVpmBmyCj5KlS_qizFM8FwCLcB/s1600/shootout%2Bin%2BLA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fMGeEahv9tc/WAlGZC4U-hI/AAAAAAAABkg/vGFfdlMOkl4PVpmBmyCj5KlS_qizFM8FwCLcB/s400/shootout%2Bin%2BLA.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I never met Camilla Hall or her cat; both had tragic, untimely deaths.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">As I think back, the Patricia Hearst investigation often seemed unfocused and disorganized in the FBI’s San Francisco Division.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There were approximately 100 Agents brought in from other divisions to assist, most of them young and, relatively speaking, unfamiliar with the surrounding, radical environment swirling around San Francisco and particularly Berkeley.&nbsp; We, the twenty Agents, assigned to Berkeley were considered to be the most familiar with the area; and were generally utilized accordingly.&nbsp; Agents from other field offices were mostly used for stationary or moving surveillances, or in some instances assigned to ‘towers.’&nbsp; (I will describe ‘towers,’ later).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">One evening, I returned to the Berkeley Resident Agency after covering some leads.&nbsp; I was approached by an older Agent who was responsible for coordinating assignments.&nbsp; This was rather early in the investigation, and the whereabouts of the SLA members, still at large, was unknown.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The Agent told me that Camilla Hall’s residence had been identified and checked-out.&nbsp; It appeared that she had left her apartment a week or so previously; but apparently took little or nothing with her except her pet cat.&nbsp; It was believed that she would try to return for clothing or other abandoned items and we needed to set up a twenty-four hour surveillance on her apartment.&nbsp; Unfortunately, the older Agent advised, we need someone to start as soon as possible; and he asked if I’d be willing to take the overnight shift – even though he knew that I had been working all day.&nbsp; I said I would.&nbsp; He said to get to the apartment as soon as possible, establish a discreet location; and that he’d try and get me some relief about eight in the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I went home to get what I would need – knowing it would be a long night.&nbsp; At home, I gathered some warm clothes, a pillow and my poncho liner from the military.&nbsp; I also took some snacks and a thermos of coffee; and an empty plastic bottle to pee in if there was no other option.&nbsp; More importantly, I had binoculars, camera, a strong flashlight, my .357 and a speed-loader with six additional rounds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I positioned myself shortly after dark.&nbsp; I did find a discreet location.&nbsp; I could see her apartment, but was not sitting directly in front of someone’s residence.&nbsp; It was a long, mostly uneventful, night.&nbsp; Cars would pass, even a pedestrian or two, but no one seemed to notice me.&nbsp; It was hard to stay awake.&nbsp; This is the nature of real police work – not like in the movies that’s for sure.&nbsp; I knew, of course, that if I was spotted by a member of the SLA, before I saw them, I would be in serious trouble.&nbsp; Nonetheless, sometimes, the need to sleep is hard to resist – no matter the circumstances.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Fresh troops, two-man teams, were assigned the following days and nights.&nbsp; I’m not sure how long they maintained that surveillance, but Camilla never returned.&nbsp; She had what was dearest to her – her pet cat.&nbsp; And, in her judgement, there was no reason to risk returning.&nbsp; As previously noted, the cat died with Camilla in the Los Angeles shootout and inferno.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">To be continued…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;">True Nelson</span></b><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://goo.gl/wLN2zH">Part One</a></span></b><br /><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://goo.gl/fmuPgG">Part Two</a></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://goo.gl/bfWTKI">Part Three</a></span></b></div>G Nelsonhttps://plus.google.com/107767859328193896656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232975761357978880.post-69532170551863900922016-10-17T13:45:00.000-07:002016-10-17T13:48:00.288-07:00The Patricia Hearst Kidnapping (Part 3) / Camilla Christine Hall / The Investigative Assignment<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FJA3klqJhog/WAUt6wTO2LI/AAAAAAAABkI/bEBHKA4W-xEr9Bxz4hBDawvMaCKjBqV_ACLcB/s1600/Camilla%2BHall%2B-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FJA3klqJhog/WAUt6wTO2LI/AAAAAAAABkI/bEBHKA4W-xEr9Bxz4hBDawvMaCKjBqV_ACLcB/s200/Camilla%2BHall%2B-2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This old San Francisco Examiner, dated Monday, May 20, 1974, is kind of interesting.&nbsp; It does bring old memories back.&nbsp; This particular issue is largely about the Hearst case which may explain why I kept it.&nbsp; On the other hand, maybe not; the Hearst kidnapping was covered extensively for months – realize that the Examiner was controlled by the Hearst family.</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Prior to May 20th, most of the SLA had been killed in a shootout in Los Angeles.&nbsp; There were three remaining fugitives – Bill and Emily Harris, and Patricia Hearst.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">For perspective, it’s kind of interesting to look over this old issue of the Examiner.&nbsp; As I’ve said previously, I hadn’t looked at it in decades.&nbsp; Some of the day to day stuff was kind of interesting.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">For example, the Examiner’s daily issue, at the time, cost 15 cents.&nbsp; Now, Portland’s daily is $1.50 and the Sunday issue is $3.00.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Much of this issue had to do with ‘Watergate,’ which some of you might recall. &nbsp;President Nixon was still in the Whitehouse, but was under a lot of fire – which ultimately led to his resignation.</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There is a full page advertisement for “Marlboro Green, Now in the Flip-top Box.”&nbsp; Don’t see that sort of thing much anymore.&nbsp; Maybe the ‘Marlboro Man’ dying of cancer took the wind out of their sales - moreover the public awakening I suppose.&nbsp; Regarding cigarettes, its current reputation as a killer isn’t exactly new.&nbsp; Sixty to seventy years back, they referred to cigarettes as ‘coffin nails.’&nbsp; But, I digress.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There was one small quote in the paper which reminded me of a particular investigative assignment given to me:<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">“Los Angeles Coroner Thomas Noguchi identified the sixth corpse (in the LA shootout) as Camilla Christine Hall, 29.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></i><br /><i><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">As a personal impression, and I got to know much about all of the SLA members, Camilla Hall seemed to have the most redeemable qualities.&nbsp; It appeared that she joined this group more out of love than any sort of radical, psychotic motivation.&nbsp; Camilla was a lesbian devoted to Patricia Mizmoon Soltysik who, in my opinion, had few if any redeemable qualities.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">But to continue the Examiner quote:&nbsp; <i>“Near Miss Hall’s body, officials found the incinerated body of her pet cat.&nbsp; When Miss Hall disappeared from her Berkeley cottage more than three months ago, she left everything except her pet.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I’d almost forgotten this, but…<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;">To be continued.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;">True Nelson</span></b><o:p></o:p><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><b><a href="https://goo.gl/wLN2zH">Part One</a></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><b><a href="https://goo.gl/fmuPgG">Part Two</a></b></span></div>G Nelsonhttps://plus.google.com/107767859328193896656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232975761357978880.post-67277336816806213142016-10-15T16:16:00.000-07:002016-10-15T16:25:39.565-07:00The Patricia Hearst Kidnapping / My memories of the investigation (Part 2) / First Impressions<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hi62GnoTG-Q/WAK3Fv35nfI/AAAAAAAABjo/92dg6mmBr_QQ4T4x3SQ3w-xYKYhDuPY4wCLcB/s1600/IMG_2471-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hi62GnoTG-Q/WAK3Fv35nfI/AAAAAAAABjo/92dg6mmBr_QQ4T4x3SQ3w-xYKYhDuPY4wCLcB/s400/IMG_2471-001.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #111111;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I’ve been giving some thought as to what I might add to Jeffrey Toobin’s book, <i>‘American Heiress.’</i>&nbsp; He did a very thorough job; and although I participated in the Hearst investigation, I found his book interesting and informative.&nbsp; What more is there to say?&nbsp; Well, all I might add are my personal experiences – what it was like in the trenches – so to speak.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #111111;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #111111;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">When Patty was first kidnapped, I felt, and my feeling was not unique, that we, the Agents, would do anything possible to save her – to include, with no reservation, risking our own lives.&nbsp; Many investigations in the FBI, then and now, are routine, boring, and with little or no motivational spark.&nbsp; Patty’s kidnapping, that February night in 1974, set a fire among the Agents to work long hours, take risks, and bring her home.&nbsp; We in the FBI’s Berkeley Resident Agency felt, somehow, especially responsible – that was our turf.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #111111;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #111111;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Most of us imagined her to be like a younger sister or other close relative – maybe some of the older Agents imagined her like a daughter.&nbsp; We were later to be disappointed.&nbsp; She was not, never was, like most FBI Agents imagined; had little or nothing in common with the vast majority of Agents.&nbsp; Most Agents were from middle class families, many were prior military, mostly decent people.**</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #111111;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #111111;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Patty was none of that and proved to be a spoiled rich girl with little or no inherent moral compass.&nbsp; I know many will say she was ‘brain-washed.’&nbsp; I later heard that numerous times – in her defense.&nbsp; My response, as she became more known to us, was then and is now, ‘nonsense.’&nbsp; I think Mr. Toobin made this point very well.&nbsp; She was an unrepentant, participating criminal; who committed countless felonies; including driving a getaway car at a bank robbery where a woman (a mother of four) was killed (murdered), shot-gunned to death.&nbsp; Patty later testified in court, coldly in my opinion and basically to save her own skin, against Emily Harris who actually shot the woman.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #111111;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #111111;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Patty Hearst was convicted and sentenced to prison for a few of her many crimes.&nbsp; President Carter subsequently ‘commuted’ her sentence and had her released from prison after she served a little more than a year.&nbsp; I voted for Carter prior to him taking that action.&nbsp; I’ve never voted for a Democrat for President since then.&nbsp; President Bill Clinton later gave Patty a full pardon.&nbsp; The Hearst family was very rich – you understand. Just one more example of how ‘when money talks, justice walks.’<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #111111;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #111111;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I kept an old newspaper (San Francisco Examiner dated Monday, May 20, 1974).&nbsp; A souvenir so to speak.&nbsp; It is now wrinkled and yellowed.&nbsp; Time moves on - more than four decades.&nbsp; I suppose there is little point in keeping it much longer – not even worth recycling.&nbsp; I might burn it in the fireplace.&nbsp; Perhaps, I will talk a little more about this old publication, give you a little glimpse of the 70s for those who might have forgotten, or for those who were not even born.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #111111;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #111111;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">That said, regarding my ‘first impressions’ of the Hearst investigation, there was a book, an exceptional book, written by General Harold G. Moore and Joseph L. Galloway titled <i>‘We Were Soldiers Once… and Young,’</i> about Vietnam. &nbsp;And, if I might use that splendid phrase in a little different way (regarding the Patty Hearst case), ‘we were Agents once… and young.’<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #111111;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #111111;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">To be continued…<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #111111;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">True Nelson<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #111111;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">** </span></b><i><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">As I’ve said before, some of the best people I’ve ever met (war heroes, scholars, athletes, and all manner of professionals) were FBI Agents.&nbsp; However, as I’ve also said, some of the biggest knuckleheads I’ve ever met were FBI Agents.</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span><br /><span style="color: #111111;"><i><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></i></span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://goo.gl/wLN2zH">Patricia Hearst Kidnapping (Part 1)</a></b></span></div>G Nelsonhttps://plus.google.com/107767859328193896656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232975761357978880.post-23756906341657126372016-10-03T21:52:00.000-07:002016-10-04T17:26:32.724-07:00The Patricia Hearst Kidnaping / My memories of the investigation (Part 1) / & Jeffrey Toobin’s Book, ‘American Heiress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dAupYbJUtWY/V_MzvtxpblI/AAAAAAAABjM/zulre_RQdDQaC9_9Iah4tgzotG3j26WkwCLcB/s1600/Book%2BAmerican%2BHeiress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dAupYbJUtWY/V_MzvtxpblI/AAAAAAAABjM/zulre_RQdDQaC9_9Iah4tgzotG3j26WkwCLcB/s1600/Book%2BAmerican%2BHeiress.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Recently, I finished a good book – ‘<u>American Heiress</u>’ by Jeffrey Toobin.&nbsp; I recommend it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><i>“The wild saga of the kidnapping, crimes and trial of Patty Hearst.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Of course, as Toobin points out, Patty Hearst preferred to be called Patricia by anyone other than her immediate family.&nbsp; We, in the FBI’s San Francisco Division, called her ‘Patty.’&nbsp; We got to know her pretty well.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I actually lived part of this story, but wasn’t mentioned – nor did I expect to be.&nbsp; I was just one of the many FBI Agents who worked 12 to 14 hour days, six or seven days a week for quite a few months on this case.&nbsp; It was demanding, tedious and often disorganized.&nbsp; Actually, Mr. Toobin gave me new insights on the investigation that I was not previously aware of – some of which seemed to explain why, at times, the investigation was disorganized.&nbsp; However, other things he said in his book (petty perhaps) were kind of silly.&nbsp; Such as…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Toobin:&nbsp; <i>“At this point, the Bureau was populated almost entirely by white** male agents who wore white shirts and black shoes and had crew cuts…”<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">February 4, 1974:&nbsp; I was assigned to the Berkeley Resident Agency when Patty was kidnapped and don’t recall any Agents dressing as he described.&nbsp; Oh, some of the older guys headquartered in San Francisco, desk jockeys mostly, might have occasionally worn white shirts and black shoes – but a “crew cut,” not hardly, unless they were attempting to conceal the fact that they were prematurely going bald.&nbsp; This was San Francisco and Berkeley during the early 70s.&nbsp; Agents working the streets dressed in accord with the venue so as not be too conspicuous.&nbsp; Maybe, Toobin is talking about old photos of Charles Bates, Tom Padden or Monte Hall – prominent players in his story.&nbsp; I will discuss them further in subsequent posts.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Toobin:&nbsp; <i>“They (referring to the FBI) knew little about the radical underground and had no chance of infiltrating those circles.&nbsp; Who were the SLA?&nbsp; Where were they? &nbsp;Who were their friends and allies?”</i><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Well, yes, that’s true in part.&nbsp; However, we actually knew quite a bit, generally speaking, about the ‘radical underground,’ the Weather Underground and the Black Panthers.&nbsp; However, the SLA, the Symbionese Liberation Army, was an instance of ‘spontaneous combustion.’&nbsp; They were suddenly on the scene.&nbsp; The SLA was closely knit and had no formal structure.&nbsp; Infiltrating them would be like infiltrating a socially dysfunctional, psychotic family.&nbsp; What was there, initially at least, to infiltrate?&nbsp; The first question needing resolution was:&nbsp; ‘Who are they?’<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">We knew, of course, that the SLA had already murdered the Oakland City Superintendent, Marcus Foster – a particularly cold blooded murder; shooting Foster with cyanide-laced bullets as he exited a school board meeting.&nbsp; It was, at the time, a local crime being investigated by the Oakland PD.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Soon, there was a break in the case when a Concord Police Officer, conducting a routine FI or field interrogation, got in a shootout with Russ Little and Joe Remiro – who were members (later determined) of the SLA.&nbsp; At that point, the nature of the SLA and who its members were began to come into focus.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The night Patty was kidnapped, I was one of the first Agents to respond to the scene.&nbsp; I still remember how chaotic it was.&nbsp; The confusion factor was almost overwhelming.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">FBI Agents, including myself, began interviewing anyone in the area they could find. &nbsp;Often times individuals contacted had already been interviewed by the Berkeley Police Department – and said individuals were understandably irritated by the FBI’s duplication of efforts.&nbsp; One couple slammed the door in my face.&nbsp; I made a note to return the next day when, perhaps, they would be in a better mood.&nbsp; The FBI was not popular in those neighborhoods. &nbsp;Ultimately, we spread out doing neighbor inquiries, noting license plates, taking photographs, mapping the neighborhood, and coordinating pertinent information that might lead to a quick locate of Patty Hearst.&nbsp; As the violence involved became better known and the prominence of the victim became increasingly clear, we began preparing for the big push the following morning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Berkeley PD was initially in charge of the investigation for the first 24 hours.&nbsp; After that, the FBI was the lead agency.&nbsp; Federal statute states that the victim, if not recovered within the first 24 hours, will create the presumption that the victim had been transported interstate or foreign commerce.&nbsp; After 24 hours, with certain exceptions, kidnapping becomes a Federal crime (The Lindbergh Law).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">February 4<sup>th</sup> turned into a long night; and the beginning of many long nights and days to come.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">To be continued…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;">True Nelson</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.trueformergman.com/">Join me on my Blog</a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><i>**A point needing a little clarification is concerning J. Edgar Hoover.&nbsp; It is often stated and inferred that he had a bias against Blacks and did not allow Blacks to become Agents.&nbsp; I entered the Bureau under Hoover’s watch.&nbsp; There were two Black Agents in my New Agents’ Class.&nbsp; Both great guys.</i></span></b></div>G Nelsonhttps://plus.google.com/107767859328193896656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232975761357978880.post-86480047031636802572016-08-24T11:13:00.000-07:002016-08-24T14:19:10.409-07:00Hillary Clinton’s Interview by the FBI / It was a farce, a comic play. My opinion…<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-broMiGY_Ejo/Vt5OiOGc4LI/AAAAAAAABcY/fFUMJn-KSL4B9CrhW1lB8V8YPya5-O67wCPcB/s1600/Hillary%2BClinton%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-broMiGY_Ejo/Vt5OiOGc4LI/AAAAAAAABcY/fFUMJn-KSL4B9CrhW1lB8V8YPya5-O67wCPcB/s1600/Hillary%2BClinton%2B%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Having done countless interviews and interrogations for the FBI, and later in my capacity as a Security Manager with a Fortune 100 company, I’m convinced that the Federal Bureau of Investigation ‘jumped in the tank’ on this investigation.&nbsp; Harsh, you might say.&nbsp; I don’t think so.&nbsp; The reports of Hillary Clinton’s interview seem to show every indication that the FBI's interview was choreographed to cause Ms. Clinton the least possible inconvenience, and to create the best possible opportunity for her to rationalize past conduct involving her emails and her personal ‘server.’<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">First, let us establish a basis.&nbsp; The FBI was involved in a massive criminal investigation that lasted months, involved numerous FBI Agents and outside experts, and cost the taxpayers millions of dollars.&nbsp; The ‘subject’ of that investigation, the ‘suspect,’ was Hillary Clinton.&nbsp; And, the culmination of that investigation was Hillary Clinton being interviewed for a little over three hours; and apparently one, two or three Agents wrote 302s summarizing their understanding of what took place and what was said during the interview.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Ms. Clinton had previously stated that the FBI inquiry was little more than a “security review;” a characterization to which FBI Director James Comey strongly objected.&nbsp; However, as it turned out that was exactly what the FBI accomplished – a ‘security review’ of the State Department’s dangerously inadequate procedures in handling ‘classified’ and other sensitive documents.&nbsp; With the primary offender being the US Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">So what is a FD 302 to which the FBI has often referred? &nbsp;It’s been quite a few years now, but it sounds like the FBI has not progressed from that antiquated system.&nbsp; It’s basically a blank sheet of paper.&nbsp; The Principal Special Agent dictates his interview notes, and a stenographer types them up, corrects grammar and structural flaws (without theoretically changing the content), therefore giving the 302 a professional look.&nbsp; The Agent dictating the 302 reads the finished product and signs it as accurate.&nbsp; Other Agents that were present during the interview also sign the 302 as being accurate.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><u>The interview format</u>:&nbsp; FBI Director Comey has stated five or six Agents participated in the interview of Clinton.&nbsp; Yes, that’s hard to believe.&nbsp; But, let’s give him the benefit of the doubt.&nbsp; OK, we’d have approximately six Agents, Hillary Clinton (of course) and she probably had two or three attorneys and/or staff people with her.&nbsp; Reportedly, the FBI’s interview seems more like a get-together, a social gathering, a conclave, rather than an official, fact-finding interview.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Normally, there will be one principal Agent conducting the interview.&nbsp; If two or more Agents are questioning a subject, it becomes too confusing and the interview begins to lose focus.&nbsp; Perhaps the Clinton interview was compartmentally separated with Agents conducting their own segment.&nbsp; But, this too can become very confusing; and usually obscures good follow-up questioning.&nbsp; The principal interviewing Agent has to manage the interview and be thoroughly prepared.&nbsp; He or she usually takes the notes because he already knows where they want to go with the interview.&nbsp; And, he is, should be, the most informed investigator in the room.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Additionally, one Agent is assigned to do the ‘Interview Log.’&nbsp; What this consists of is a time sheet including notations such as:&nbsp; What time the interview began and what time it ended.&nbsp; When breaks were taken and the nature of the break; were breaks taken to consult with attorneys, go to the bathroom, serve coffee, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">In HRC’s interview, I imagine that there was at least one assigned woman Special Agent present in the room – if for nothing else than to soften appearances.&nbsp; The principal Agent would begin with introductions and then establish the foundation.&nbsp; This might take 30 to 45 minutes – perhaps an hour.&nbsp; The object being to create a comfortable atmosphere and to lay-out the general ground rules.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><u>The interview</u>:&nbsp; After the principal Agent finishes his questioning, he would ask other Agents in the room for follow-up questions.&nbsp; Follow-up questions usually develop other areas of interest based on the subject’s answers and the need for clarification. &nbsp;In an important case like this, the principal Agent probably would require a private meeting with the other Agents in an adjacent office or conference room to discuss the interview’s progress and to garner suggestions from the other Agents present.&nbsp; In most instances, this private meeting would generate new areas of questioning that need to be explored in more detail.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><u>Subsequent</u>:&nbsp; The principal Agent, utilizing his hand-written notes, would then dictate the findings of the interview.&nbsp; The FBI used to have a ‘five day rule,’ which meant that the interview notes had to be transcribed within five days.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Now, let’s be clear, if this is what occurred in such a very short time (the alleged 3+ hours), the FBI Agents had to have been already briefed that there was to be no prosecution in the matter.&nbsp; More importantly, they used this antiquated interview method to make sure that Clinton didn’t stumble and somehow throw a wrench into the previously decided decision.&nbsp; The FBI was simply going through the motions – little more than a PR exercise.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">What should the FBI have done?&nbsp; At the very least, the FBI should have required a verbatim transcript.&nbsp; Even better would have been a video and transcript.&nbsp; Now, it’s my understanding that Clinton’s attorneys negotiated (demanded) the interview conditions, prior to the interview; and that there would be no transcript - a condition to which the FBI agreed.&nbsp; In other words, Clinton’s attorneys and the FBI colluded to establish the least effective interview format; and the most beneficial format for Clinton.&nbsp; What if Clinton had refused to be interviewed?&nbsp; From an FBI standpoint that would be fine too.&nbsp; They would simply refer their investigative results to the US Attorney with the postscript that the subject (Hillary Clinton) refused to be interviewed.&nbsp; This can also be an indication of guilt when a subject refuses to be interviewed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><u>Duration</u>:&nbsp; I’ve undergone depositions, involving civil matters on investigations that I had conducted (civil and criminal matters which were infinitely less complex than the Hillary matter) that lasted more than a day.&nbsp; Every answer, every word, was transcribed.&nbsp; If I misstated or embellished under oath that would have subsequently been used against me in court to diminish or destroy my testimony.&nbsp; This is mentioned to show contrast with the FBI’s ‘hit and run’ interview of Clinton.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Hillary Clinton is an attorney.&nbsp; She is a master of obfuscation and evasion.&nbsp; Her attorneys, as is there custom, would object during the interview and ask to confer privately with Clinton.&nbsp; With breaks and attorney conferences outside the interview room, I would guess Hillary’s interview lasted no more than an hour – if that.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">My advice to any Congressional Review Panel evaluating the quality, findings and conclusions of this FBI interview would be to request all hand-written notes completed by Agents, as well as the ‘Interview Log.’&nbsp; This would be a pretty good indication of how thorough the interview was.&nbsp; Or should I say that it would probably confirm what most current and former FBI Agents already know.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Yes indeed folks, politics talks and justice walks.</span></b><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>True Nelson</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>G Nelsonhttps://plus.google.com/107767859328193896656noreply@blogger.com0